Read what our landscape artists Sheila Finch and Sharon France have to say about painting the land. The artists at UGallery express the landscapes they see in watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings. In history’s long view, Jonghelinck helped create and preserve European art, and art appreciators today can see this work in Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. This patronage during Bruegel’s career helped the artist to continue painting. In the fascinating archives of Antwerp, Jonghelinck notes that he ultimately owned sixteen paintings by Bruegel. Johnhelinck commissioned the classical landscape painting, The Hunters in the Snow, for his chateau - this was one of six paintings commissioned depicting spring, summer, autumn and winter landscapes. During a time of great hardship in Europe in the 1500s, artist Pieter Bruegel found a supportive patron in art collector and banker, Nicolaes Johnhelinck. Surviving for centuries, this is one of the Bruegel artworks that is still on view today. The trees in the snowy foreground lead down to a classical village scene, framed by a mountain landscape in the background. Set in the frozen countryside, both hunters and dogs appear defeated, returning to their village nearly empty-handed from a hunt which clearly tested their resolve. Bruegel was renowned, among other treasures, for his 1565 winter scene painting The Hunters in the Snow, also known as The Return of the Hunters. Undercover in this way, he observed his subject matter up close and personal in scenes from what today would translate to reality TV. Bruegel reportedly disguised himself to blend in at fairs, festivals, and in daily pursuits. We now live on an old farmstead with a farmhouse and red barn-a great inspiration.” - Landscape artist Sharon Franceįlemish master landscape painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder was among the first to depict peasants in a time when his peers were painting royalty and religion during the High Renaissance. Trips to my grandparents’ remote farm are some of my favorite memories. I remember walks through the cornfields behind our house and the feel of the damp earth on my bare feet. Splitting my time between my studio and painting outdoors, I like to begin a painting with the intent of capturing my emotional response to a scene.” - Landscape artist Sheila Finch “Growing up in the Midwest, we lived at the edge of town. My latest paintings are created from the scenes along Highway One between San Francisco and Monterey. “I’ve always been drawn to the grace and natural beauty of the land and sky.

Flemish master landscape painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder was among the first to depict peasants in a time when his peers were painting royalty and religion during the High Renaissance.