Master Strokes: Dutch and Flemish drawings from the Golden Age

Useful but slightly dull exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum looking at Dutch and Flemish drawings from the 17th and 18th century.

The show provided a good overview of styles and themes in this period with good commentaries on each piece but it felt slightly fragmented. That said there were some amazing works.

I’ve used a picture of a Ruben’s study of Marie de Medici for the mural cycle in the Louvre. I’d not seen any drawings before for this wonderful over the top work. I have a certain sympathy for her double chin! There was also a wonderful Ruben’s drawing of a descending male figure, a great study in foreshortening.

I liked a sketch by Van Dyck for the clothing of Lady Anne Wentwoth for a portrait, an interesting insight into how he worked. My favourite picture was a panorama of the city of Jaen by Van Der Wyngaerde, a wonderful detailed cityscape with a figure of a man sketching in the foreground.

Closes on 13 November 2016.

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