Jan Smees

Jan Smees was an artist active during the transitional period spanning the late 17th and early 18th centuries, with his documented professional output occurring between 1685 and 1705. His known works consist exclusively of prints, primarily depicting landscape and rural subjects.

Smees specialized in natural and architectural themes, often focusing on the relationship between human life and natural decay. This interest is evident in works that feature specific topographical or ruined settings, such as Building in Ruins at the Side of a River and Ruins on a Hilltop. Other pieces capture pastoral elements and daily life, including titles like Houses at the Side of a River, Man and Ox in a River, and Sleeping Shepherd.

Nine prints by Jan Smees are represented in major institutional collections, establishing his significance within the history of graphic art from this period. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Rijksmuseum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA), and the National Gallery of Art (NGA). As historical imagery, many of these Jan Smees prints are today within the public domain, allowing for the creation of museum-quality reproductions. These downloadable artwork files ensure continued study and appreciation of his distinctive landscape views.