Jacob Van Der Does Paintings


Jacob van der Does was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker, primarily known for his pastoral landscape paintings and his contributions to the Dutch Italianate style. Born on March 4, 1623, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, he became one of the many Dutch artists of the period who were influenced by the landscapes and light of Italy, a country he visited during his career.

Van der Does was the son of a wealthy stockfish merchant and was initially trained by his father in the family business. However, his passion for art led him to pursue a career as a painter. He studied with Cornelis Vroom, a landscape painter who was among the first Dutch artists to incorporate Italianate elements into his work. Under Vroom's guidance, van der Does developed his skills and eventually traveled to Italy, where the scenery and classical art profoundly influenced his style.

During his time in Italy, particularly in Rome, he became associated with the Bentvueghels, a society of mostly Dutch and Flemish artists working in Rome. It was a common practice for members of this group to adopt a nickname, known as a 'bent name', and van der Does was given the name 'Tamboer', meaning 'drummer', which reflected an aspect of his personality or his work.

After returning to the Netherlands, van der Does settled in The Hague in 1657 and helped establish the Confrerie Pictura, an organization of painters who broke away from the traditional guild system, seeking more artistic freedom and a focus on promoting fine arts. His landscapes often included animals and shepherds, with a warm palette and a harmonious composition that showed a clear Italian influence. His works were characterized by a serene atmosphere and delicate handling of light, which was typical of the Dutch Italianate painters.

Jacob van der Does died on November 17, 1673, in The Hague. His works can be found in various museums and collections, and he is remembered as a notable figure in the development of 17th-century Dutch landscape painting, bridging the gap between Dutch realism and the classical landscapes inspired by Italy.