Jan van Huysum became one of the most celebrated Dutch flower-painters, following in the footsteps of his father, Justus van Huysum (1659-1716), many of whose works are confused with his more famous son’s.
Jan also painted some classical landscapes and mythologies, but artists that followed him, such as Jan van Os, were most inspired by his highly detailed flower paintings.
Van Huysum also painted classical landscapes, which have, by and large, been overlooked.
Despite the strong Italianate styling of his landscapes, van Huysum apparently never once travelled abroad, instead observing the scenery of Italy on the canvasses of earlier Dutch Italianates.
Most notable is his dependence on such artists as Gaspard Dughet (whose school is also represented in the Wakefield collection).
