What is the thematic context of The Ascension of Elijah, David Colijns, 1627?

flemish & savery influence, dutch baroque tradition, biblical storytelling, religious allegory strong, elisha's role central, series of elisha works, dramatic chiaroscuro style, colijn's artistic signature

Is The Ascension of Elijah, David Colijns, 1627 under copyright?

No, this artwork is in the public domain.

Purchase a hand made painting of The Ascension of Elijah, David Colijns, 1627 - Mature Period

Together with his Pharaoh’s Army Drowning in the Red Sea painted one year earlier,4 the present painting is David Colijns’s most animated composition. It depicts the prophet Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind to heaven in ‘a chariot of fire, and horses of fire’ (II Kings 2:11). Elijah’s successor Elisha rends his clothes into two pieces as he watches the scene, and Elijah’s mantle falls to earth for him to take on (II Kings 2:12-13). As more than one scholar has observed, Colijns’s painting of Elisha Mocked by the Little Children in a Dutch private collection (fig. a) is probably a pendant of the Rijksmuseum painting, or, possibly both paintings belonged to a series on the life of Elisha, from which the other works are no longer traceable.5 Both works are on panels of almost the same dimensions and both are signed and dated 1627. The dramatic chiaroscuro and the windswept landscape in the present work contrast with the calm daylight scene shown in the pendant. The large, centrally placed tree in both compositions is a common device employed by Colijns.6 Perspective has been created by the placement of coulisses one behind the other, and by the alternating bands of light and shadow. This landscape formula is derived from the work of such Flemish immigrants as Jacob Savery. Colijns’s feathery trees are also reminiscent of the latter artist. It is interesting to note in this context that quite a number of works by Jacob Savery are listed in the 1612 sale of the paintings owned by David Colijns’s father, Crispiaen.7 The caricatural features of Colijns’s figures, especially those of the children in the Utrecht painting, are highly reminiscent of David Vinckboons’s peasant types. While Colijns’s style as represented in The Ascension of Elijah has much in common with Savery and Vinckboons, it is difficult to discern the similarities with the work of Lastman and Pynas (presumably Jan) that Bredius saw.8 Another version of The Ascension of Elijah by Colijns with an upright oval format is known.9 That painting shows Elijah in his chariot in much the same way as in the Rijksmuseum picture, but concentrates more on the figures and less on the landscape. The oval version is not dated and it has not been possible to determine which work was executed first. Jonathan Bikker, 2007 See Bibliography and Rijksmuseum painting catalogues See Key to abbreviations and Acknowledgements This entry was published in J. Bikker (ed.), Dutch Paintings of the Seventeenth Century in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, I: Artists Born between 1570 and 1600, coll. cat. Amsterdam 2007, no. 50.

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Artist Biography

a rotterdam-born painter's legacy

david colijns, a prominent figure in dutch art, left an indelible mark on the world of historical allegories. born in rotterdam, netherlands, around 1582, colijns' work is characterized by its meticulous attention to detail and the grandeur of biblical narratives.

the making of a master

colijns was the son of chrispiaen colijn, an artist in his own right. this lineage likely influenced david's early interest in art, leading him to become a painter of remarkable skill. by 1621, he had established himself as a teacher, mentoring salomon koninck and later jacob koninck (ca. 1615-ca.1695), both of whom would go on to become notable artists in their own right.

artistic contributions

several religious paintings by colijns' hand hang in the centraal museum, a testament to his prolific career. his work is distinguished by its ability to convey complex biblical themes with clarity and precision, often featuring numerous figures. this skill has been recognized by art enthusiasts and scholars alike, earning him a place among the netherlands' most revered artists.

notable works: while specific pieces are not detailed here, his contributions to the world of historical allegories are undeniable.
influences: colijns' work has been influenced by the dutch golden age, a period known for its artistic, scientific, and economic growth.
legacy: he passed away in amsterdam in 1664, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire artists and art lovers to this day.

exploring further

for those interested in delving deeper into the world of david colijns and his contemporaries, ArtsDot's collection offers a comprehensive look at his life's work. additionally, exploring the mauritshuis, with its extensive collection of dutch golden age paintings, provides invaluable context to colijns' place within the broader art historical landscape.

recommended reading: discover the masterpieces of mauritshuis, the hague
artist to watch: daniël roosegaarde, a contemporary dutch artist pushing the boundaries of social design.

conclusion

david colijns, with his profound impact on historical allegories, stands as a shining example of the netherlands' rich artistic heritage. his legacy, preserved in the centraal museum, continues to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide, ensuring his place within the annals of art history remains unshakeable.

david colijns

1582 - 1664 , Netherlands

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Genre painter
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Rembrandt
- Vermeer
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Karel van Mander I']
Date Of Birth: c. 1582/83
Date Of Death: 1664
Full Name: Frans Hals
Nationality: Dutch
Notable Artworks:
- The Gypsy Girl
- Laughing Cavalier
- Laughing Boy
Place Of Birth: Antwerp, Spain

Dutch Baroque Masters: 10 Paintings That Shaped an Era | ArtsDot

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