Inzameling van het manna

About this artwork

Gift of Mrs Wernek-Hansen, Amsterdam

Art Historical Context

**Inzameling van hetna (The Gathering of the Manna 1647** Bartholomeus Breen, a prominent Dutch Golden Age artist (8–1657), a pivotal biblical moment from Exodus 16 in this delicate pen drawing. The scene depicts the Israelites collecting manna—divine sustenance provided by God in the wilderness—set against Breenbergh's signature Italianate landscape. Having spent nearly two decades in Rome (0s–1646), where he absorbed the luminous styles of Claude Lorrain and Agostino Tassi, Breenbergh returned to Amsterdam just before creating this work, blending classical harmony with northern precision. Executed in pen on paper (198 × 250 mm), the drawing showcases Breenbergh's masterful line work, with intricate hatching and cross-hatching to evoke depth, texture, and atmospheric light in a compact format. Such preparatory sketches were vital in the 17th century for painters like him, who often translated them into oil paintings, highlighting his role in popularizing idealized Arcadian scenes infused with moral and spiritual narratives. Generously gifted by Mrs. Wernek-Hansen of Amsterdam, this piece exemplifies the enduring appeal of Breenbergh's oeuvre, bridging Dutch realism and Italian idealism while inviting reflection on themes of providence and human humility. A gem for lovers of Baroque draftsmanship! (198 words)

About the Artist

Bartholomeus Breenbergh · 1598–1657

Probably was apprenticed in Amsterdam. He was one of the early Dutch italianates, that is, northern artists who travelled to Italy in the 1620s and were inspired by southern landscapes. On his return, he settled in Amsterdam and his landscapes were developed as more severe and monumental, often with historical subjects; strongly influenced by the Pre-Rembrandtists. Comment on works: Landscapes; Ru...