Figures in the Ruins of the Roman Forum

The sun begins to set as four huntsmen and their dogs take their rest in the shade of an ancient ruin. A pale, yellow light washes over the landscape, bringing into focus the foremost hunter’s eye-catching crimson coat. More than telling a story, this painting captures a specific moment – relaxing after a long day’s work, the sounds of dogs yapping and yipping, the warm glow of a Mediterranean sunset. Evincing his studies in Italy, Jan Asselijn imbues this everyday scene with classical grandeur.