Adriaen Van Stalbemt (1580 - 1662) Landscape with a castle

Adriaen Van Stalbemt (Antwerp 1580 - 1662)
« Landscape with a castle »
Oil on panel ; Height 27cm x Width 36,5cm.

The scene depicts an idyllic rural landscape, set in the calm, cool atmosphere typical of seventeenth-century flemish landscapes. The composition unfolds in depth, guiding the viewer’s eye from the dense shadow of the trees in the foreground toward the bluish, almost misty distance.
On the left, a group of three figures dressed in vivid colors appear to be engaged in conversation. They stand near a shaded path bordered by tall trees. In the center, a small wooden footbridge crosses a stream. It serves as a transition point between shadow and light.
Just below, at the water’s edge, a seated woman dressed in red and beige is shown fetching or washing something in the stream. A basket rests beside her.
The middle area features a straight forest path lined with tall, slender-trunked trees. The sense of perspective is very pronounced, a hallmark of Stalbemt’s work. A few small figures can be seen along this path, adding life without distracting from the landscape. On the left, red-brick houses form a charming little village. Other inhabitants can be glimpsed, including a female figure at the entrance of one of the houses. The cool shade of the woods contrasts with the sunlit areas. The landscape opens onto a large stretch of water—probably a pond or marsh. To the right stands a monumental building resembling a manor house, small castle, or pavilion reflected in the water.
Several waterbirds (ducks or geese) move across the pond, enhancing the sense of tranquility. The sky is a brilliant blue, populated with birds that reinforce the impression of open space and fresh air.
This painting perfectly illustrates the flemish attention to detail in rendering foliage, textures, and light, the taste for deep perspectives leading to bluish horizons, the harmonious inclusion of small scenes of daily life. Secondary yet lively, a gentle, almost narrative atmosphere in which nature dominates human presence.