LEONARD BRAMER | A moonlit landscape with drovers and their pack of mules

Anonymous sale, London, Phillips, 10 April 1990, lot 54;

With Richard L. Feigen & Co., New York, by 1992;

Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 17 May 2004, lot 95.

Leonard Bramer was born in Delft, but began travelling widely throughout Europe from the age of 18. He journeyed to France and then down to Italy, where he reached Rome by 1619; he was to settle there until 1625. During this time, Bramer was greatly influenced by the Caravaggesque painters. Adam Elsheimer, a German artist also working in Rome, was likewise of particular interest.

Bramer was inspired by Elsheimer’s night scenes and consequently specialised in these himself from the beginning of his career in Italy, earning himself the nickname Leonardo delle Notti. As exemplified by the present picture, these were often executed on slate, which provided a cool-toned, dark background. Figures and animals were then modelled by highlighting the elements cast in light. Like Bramer's other works on slate, this picture can be dated to the mid-1620s.