About this artwork

Though known for his powers of invention, Savery developed the practice of minute observation from nature, which was to have a profound influence upon his technique and style long after he left Prague in 1613. This sheet is extremely detailed with soft atmospheric colour washes, a technique which owes something to that of his brother Jacob. Savery continued to use the designs first drawn in central Europe as the basis for his compositions made many years later, after his return to the Netherlands. Here, he has not drawn grand Prague palaces, but instead the hills beset with picturesque ramshackle houses, so foreign to the flat landscape of the Northern Netherlands and its architecture. The National Galleries of Scotland owns two other views of houses in Prague by Savery, which were also probably made shortly after Savery's arrival in the city, c.1603-5. The little bushes suspended from poles projecting from the roofs are thought to be signs announcing the pressing of the year's new wine.

Updated before 2020

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Roelandt Savery

Roelandt Savery