Abraham Jansz Begeyn

Abraham Jansz Begeyn was an artist active between 1656 and 1695. His known output primarily consists of detailed landscape drawings that reflect a thematic interest in pastoral and southern European environments, often categorized as Italianate landscapes.

Begeyn’s compositions frequently focus on the interplay between herders, livestock, and dramatic natural scenery. Examples of this focus include Cattle and Sheep with Shepherds and Shepherdess and the scenic Couple on Horseback at a Mountain Lake. Architectural elements also feature prominently, evidenced by works such as Italianate Landscape with a Stone Bridge over a River. Further documenting his specialty in pastoral scenes is Landscape with a Herder Watching a Flock of Three Goats and Italianate Landscape with Herders and their Flock.

Nine of Abraham Jansz Begeyn’s drawings are represented in institutional collections, confirming his importance as a landscape draftsman of the period. His work is held in major institutions including the Rijksmuseum and the Art Institute of Chicago. These museum-quality drawings, now often found in the public domain, enable access to high-quality prints of Abraham Jansz Begeyn prints and landscape studies.