Kloof tussen rotswanden

Kloof tussen rotswanden is a powerful drawing created by Jean François Millet (II) sometime during his active period between 1676 and 1723. Executed entirely on paper, this work reflects the traditions of detailed landscape draftsmanship prevalent in the late Baroque and Rococo eras. Unlike his more famous nineteenth-century namesake, this earlier Millet specialized in detailed landscape and architectural studies, capturing the dramatic tension inherent in natural, rugged topography.

The subject of the work is a monumental natural passage defined by sheer, rocky walls looming over a narrow gorge. Such detailed renderings of imposing, almost sublime, natural features were highly popular among European artists exploring the limits of picturesque geography. Millet demonstrates a careful control of line and perspective, essential for conveying the massive scale and depth required by the composition of Kloof tussen rotswanden. The execution on paper suggests this may have been either a preparatory study for a larger painted work or a finished cabinet drawing intended for private viewing and collection. The detailed attention to texture in the stone surfaces highlights Millet’s skill in rendering naturalistic, tactile forms through purely linear means.

This exceptional example of Dutch landscape drawing is part of the extensive collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which holds significant examples of art from this transitional period. Due to the age of the piece, the artwork is now fully in the public domain, allowing institutions and enthusiasts worldwide to access high-resolution images for study and enjoyment. This accessibility ensures the continued relevance of Millet’s technical skill, and high-quality prints are widely available, securing this period of European draftsmanship a global audience.