Riikinkukko puutarhassa – Mathias Withoosin Rooma

Like many of his colleagues, the painter Mathias Withoos joined the Bentvueghels group during his stay in Rome around 1648–1653. Rome appears in his art as landscape views, which he framed with lush plant motifs. The Bentvueghels artist group was formed among Dutch and Flemish artists in Rome around 1620, and the community continued for a hundred years, until 1720. They were boisterous revellers who spent their time closely together in a new city. However, living in Rome was not merely about celebrating; making art and developing within it were taken seriously. Members of the Bentvueghels group were especially fond of drawing and painting outdoors. The artists wanted to learn from Italian masters, and new perspectives were sought from the city. The group included, among others, Caspar van Wittel (1653–1736), Jan Both (1618–1652) and Cornelis van Poelenburgh (1594–1667), who are featured in the exhibition. The exhibition celebrates the power of being together, the uniqueness of moments experienced together, and the significance of belonging to a group. The exhibition presents the Bentvueghels group of artists and, among its painters, especially the work of Mathias Withoos.