Artwork

Ansichten aus den vier Weltteilen mit Szenen von Tieren: Tripolis

Ansichten aus den vier Weltteilen mit Szenen von Tieren: Tripolis, by Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder, unspecified, 1682
Ansichten aus den vier Weltteilen mit Szenen von Tieren: Tripolis, by Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder, unspecified, 1682

Ansichten aus den vier Weltteilen mit Szenen von Tieren: Tripolis is an unspecified painting by Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder. It dates from 1682 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder's painting 'Ansichten aus den vier Weltteilen mit Szenen von Tieren: Tripolis' is part of a series representing four continents. It is a characteristic example of his work, combining landscape and animal scenes.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a dramatic scene in Tripoli, featuring lions in a rocky landscape with a cityscape in the background. The composition includes a large lion standing on its hind legs, roaring, and other lions interacting with their environment and a bird.

Technique & Style

The work showcases the artist's attention to detail, evident in the rendering of the lions' fur and the rocky terrain's textures. The use of color and composition creates a sense of tension and energy, typical of van Kessel's style.

History & Provenance

The painting is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, indicating its significance within the artist's oeuvre and the broader context of 17th-century Flemish Baroque art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ferdinand van Kessel the Elder

Ferdinand van Kessel (1648 – 1696), was a Flemish Baroque painter known for his landscapes, still lifes and genre pieces with monkeys.