Animated landscape with a river - Carstiaen de Ceuninck

Oil on panel
Signature central below

Dimensions: 37 x 66 cm, 55 x 77 cm (framed)

THE ARTWORK

This painting by Kerstiaen de Keuninck presents an expansive imaginary landscape, filled with lush trees, rolling hills, and distant vistas bathed in a theatrical play of light. Dominated by a large central tree, the composition draws the viewer’s eye toward the glowing horizon, which adds depth and a sense of mystery to the scene. The landscape is populated with small figures and buildings, providing scale and inviting the viewer into the serene yet intricate world De Keuninck has created.
De Keuninck’s landscapes are characterized by a dramatic use of light and shadow, lending a sense of atmosphere and grandeur to otherwise pastoral settings. His imaginary landscapes often embody a sense of fantasy and timelessness, and here, the softly illuminated foliage and shadowy recesses create a harmonious interplay of light, capturing the viewer's attention and enhancing the painting’s depth.

THE ARTIST

Kerstiaen de Keuninck was a Flemish Mannerist painter born around 1560 in Kortrijk and later active in Antwerp. He trained at the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke, where he registered as a pupil in 1577 and became a master a few years later. Unlike many of his contemporaries, De Keuninck did not travel to Italy, a choice that allowed him to develop a unique style influenced heavily by Flemish landscape traditions rather than Italian influences.
He drew significant inspiration from Roelant Savery, Joos de Momper, and Gillis van Coninxloo, notable landscape painters who were also active during this period. De Keuninck is best known for his imaginary landscapes, often characterized by theatrical lighting and an otherworldly atmosphere. His works frequently depict fires and disasters, with recurring themes such as the Burning of Troy and the Burning of Sodom. His stylistic themes and techniques remained consistent throughout his career, capturing both natural beauty and dramatic intensity.
De Keuninck’s works can be found in collections like the Broelmuseum in Kortrijk and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His landscapes, though imaginary, evoke a sense of place and timelessness, bridging the gap between Mannerist imagination and Flemish realism.