Attributed To Matthijs Bril (1553 – 1626) - Landscape With Ruins In The Bac

Attributed to Matthijs BRIL (1553 – 1626)
Landscape with ruins on the background

Ink on paper, 20.7 x 27.9 cm

Collector’s stamp on the verso, lower right
Annotated “P Bril 15 fr”

Provenance
Prince Heinrich von Hessen's collection (L. 4345)
Private collection, UK
Private collection, France.

Matthijs Bril, born in 1553 and passing in 1626, was a Flemish painter primarily known for his intricate landscapes and architectural works. His artistic journey began under the influence of his elder brother Paul Bril, who was a prominent landscape painter in Rome. Matthijs eventually joined his brother there, and together, they contributed significantly to the development of landscape painting during the late Renaissance.

Matthijs' work often depicted ruins and classical architecture, integrating them within natural settings in a manner that was both romantic and realistic. His approach to landscape was innovative for the time, moving away from merely providing backdrops for historical or mythological scenes, to focusing on the beauty of the landscape itself as the main subject.

His legacy includes not only his own body of work but also the influence he had on other artists, including his brother and those who followed the Bril style, which continued to evolve after his death. Matthijs' landscapes are characterized by their vivid detail, a testament to his keen observation of nature and architectural form.

The drawing in question, with its delicate ink strokes capturing the serene ruinous landscape, is emblematic of Matthijs Bril's contribution to the art of landscape painting. The provenance of this piece, having been part of Prince Heinrich von Hessen's collection and later moving through private collections in the UK and France, underscores its historical significance and the enduring appreciation for Bril's work.