Albert Cuyp – Dutch painter and etcher. Studied with his father, J. Cuyp. Was influenced by J. van Goyen, S. van Ruisdael, and painters of the Italianizing trend. Traveled around Holland and worked in Dordrecht. Painted landscapes, portraits, still lifes, genre and biblical scenes; he almost never dated his works. His best known works are views of the sea, depictions of nature at different times of the day, and landscapes with animals, all built on subtle color and light relationships. The early monochrome palette, close to J. van Goyen, was replaced in the late 1640s by a warmer, Italianate-style, golden color scheme and a festive uplift of images. The artist was especially successful in conveying a sunny day, a transparent airy environment, a sky with billowing light clouds, the contrast of the dark massive forms of the foreground and smoky distances. In the early 1660s, Cuyp’s mature style, in which theatrical features were growing, experienced a decline; the artist gradually moved away from the landscape genre.

It has recently been established that Albert Cuyp was born in 1620, and not in 1605, as some sources claim. Both Albert’s grandfather and uncle were artists who specialized in stained glass, and his father, Jacob Gerritsz Cuyp, was a famous portraitist. It was probably his father who taught Albert painting, and in the early 1640s, father and son worked together on commissions: Jacob painted portraits, and Albert supplied them with landscape backgrounds. But by this time, the younger Cuyp was already creating independent works. It is difficult to say whether Albert had other teachers. The version that the artist studied landscape painting with van Goyen has not yet been confirmed. In any case, the latter’s work noticeably affected the works of Albert Cuyp, especially the early ones.

Cuyp showed himself in a variety of painting genres, his brush belongs to biblical, mythological and historical canvases, still lifes, portraits (the latter testify to the undoubted influence of Rembrandt on him), but it was landscapes that brought him fame. Until the early 1640s, during the period that went down in art history as the tonal direction in Dutch painting, the artist most often painted small-format paintings, the main theme of which was views of his native Holland, with figures and animals. Ochre and greenish-brown colors predominate in the color scheme.

In the mid-1640s, the influence of the Utrecht master Jan Both became increasingly evident. By this time Both had returned from Italy, bringing with him the style of the Italian school. Some researchers believe that Cuyp visited Utrecht and personally communicated with Both, and through his works indirectly became acquainted with the artistic discoveries of the great French landscape painter Claude Lorrain. The second half of the 1640s and the 1650s is the time of the creation of Cuyp’s best paintings.

During this period, serene views of the banks of the Maas and Waal near Dordrecht were painted, with boats floating on the river surface, herds settling down to rest against the backdrop of the evening sky, Rhine landscapes with groups of horsemen or peasants. The artist became famous for his ability to convey the light and air of a foggy morning, a shining midday, a golden evening. He enjoyed capturing the warmth of the summer or autumn sky, the amber haze enveloping the surrounding hills, and reflections in sleepy water.

The sunlight in his canvases spills over the picture, now and then snatching some small detail of the panorama. A blade of grass, the hair of a horse’s mane, the horn of a cow leaning over a stream, a peasant’s hat – everything is bathed in a yellowish-ochre glow. Rays of light are reflected and refracted by objects, like the facets of a diamond, and the objects themselves seem to dissolve in the rays of light. Cuyp’s teacher in such cases was nature itself, and in the depiction of light, Cuyp is considered the predecessor of Vermeer.

Sometimes Cuyp painted the sea, both calm and stormy, and was one of the best in conveying moonlight in night landscapes. His compositions are given, as a rule, from a low point of view, creating a sense of vast space. Cuyp’s activities took place mainly in Dordrecht. After the death of his father in 1651 or 1652, Albert inherited a significant fortune and became one of the most respected citizens. He was an active member of the Dutch Reformed Church and held important city and church positions. In 1659 he became dean of the Reformed congregation, and in 1682 he joined the court. In general, it seems that he was valued more for his social than his artistic merits, although the artist received orders from influential citizens.