Landscape in Spring

The painting, which is part of a series of four depicting landscapes in the four seasons, represents a mixture of landscape and genre painting. In the background of the landscape the Palace of Coudenberg in Brussels is depicted. The Castle and then the Palace of Coudenberg were the seat of government of the counts, dukes, archdukes, kings, emperors and governors who, from the 11th century until its destruction in 1731, exerted their sovereignty over the area of the Duchy of Brabant.

The influence of both Bruegel and Patenier can be observed on this picture.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 43 minutes): Vivaldi: Four Seasons, violin concertos op.8 Nos. 1-4