Mountain landscape with travellers

This 17th-century drawing, probably originating from the Southern Netherlands, demonstrates exceptional mastery of line and composition. At the centre of the image is a monumental rock formation, rough and jagged, rising like a natural cathedral from the landscape. The artist has used subtle hatching and contrasting shadows to create an impressive sense of depth and texture, making the rock not only a geographical but also a visual focal point.

On the left, a path or stream winds through the valley, where small human figures are moving. Their presence is not merely decorative: they suggest movement, destination and a certain connection with the landscape. In the distance, on a wooded hill, stands a castle or fortified structure — an echo of medieval power and romantic imagination. This architectural element provides a counterweight to the raw nature and anchors the scene in a historical context.

The combination of human activity, natural grandeur and architectural reference makes this work a powerful visual narrative. It is a landscape that can not only be seen, but also read — as a story about travel, about time, and about the relationship between humans and their environment.

Pen, Pencil, brown and grey ink, washes, 188 x 270 mm