Flemish Village Street with View of Antwerp

Joos de Momper the Younger (1564–1635)

Flemish Village Street with View of Antwerp

Oil on wood

Inv. no. L64

On loan from the Kaiserschild Trust

Antwerp-born Joos de Momper the Younger was one of the most prolific exponents of Flemish landscape painting in the first half of the 17th century. Beside mountain-, river or coastal landscapes, villages and towns were also the focus of his artistic interest as places filled with vigorous life.

Few countries in Europe had such a large density of cities as the Netherlands. The densely populated, commercial metropolises became a popular artistic motif and bore witness to fame, glory and prosperity of the young Netherlands, which managed to becoming one of the leading commercial powers of Europe. Especially the city of Antwerp, already in the 16^th century a centre of international trade , offered an impressive sight with the soaring spire of the Cathedral of Our Lady, the largest church in the country.