Oil on panel, 15cm by 19cm. Signed with initials ‘D.V.D’ and dated ‘1629’ on the vertical riser of the step in the lower left foreground.
This Dutch artist’s work consists almost entirely of architectural paintings, particularly church interiors and imaginary palaces.
His early work was said to be strongly influenced by that of the Dutch Renaissance architect, painter and engineer, Hans Vredeman de Vries (1527-1607), who wrote books on architectural ornamentation and perspective, and was internationally recognised as a specialist in the latter.
The significance of the dragon in the middle ground is intriguing!
