The Journey of a Dutch Landscape Painter
Born in Utrecht, Netherlands, Jan van Bunnik was a painter of the Dutch Golden Age. His artistic training began in 1668 when he was sent to study draftsmanship under Herman Saftleven for three years. Following his studies, his travels took him through the Duchy of Cleves and eventually to Italy. His extensive travels through Europe included stays in Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Speyer, Strasbourg, Zurich, Milan, Genoa, Livorno, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Ferrara, Venice, and Modena. During his time in Rome, he learned to design fine scenery in the environs of Rome in the popular manner of Italianate landscapes.
While in Modena, his works were so admired that he became the court painter to Francesco II d'Este, the Duke of Modena, receiving a yearly stipend for eight years to create decorations for various buildings and homes. After traveling through France and Turin, he arrived in Paris alongside his brother, Jacob van Bunnik. Upon returning to Holland, he was employed by King William III, then Prince of Orange, to ornament his palace at Loo. He died in Utrecht.
Artistic Legacy and Works
Van Bunnik was known by the nickname keteltrom after being accepted into the Bentvueghels. His travels and social connections brought him into contact with many notable figures, including Pieter de Molijn, Carlo Maratta, and Johann Carl Loth.
Our catalog features the following work by this artist:
