An Architectural Fantasy
- Artist: Jan van der Heyden
- Date: probably 1665-70
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
"An Architectural Fantasy by Jan van der Heyden. Painted in the Netherlands, this work showcases Van der Heyden's remarkable ability to capture buildings with photographic realism. Look at the intricate details of stone and brickwork, the play of light on every tile - it's almost as if you could reach out and touch them.
Of course, what makes this painting truly fascinating is that it's not just a realistic representation of architecture. The title suggests that this is an 'Architectural Fantasy', composed of elements from different buildings that Van der Heyden probably visited in Germany and Holland. He often did this - combining pieces to create a sense of an ideal city, once great but now ruined.
Notice the mix of architectural styles among the surviving buildings. The one in the centre is typical of the mid-sixteenth-century Flamboyant Gothic style, while the building on the far left has a distinctly Dutch character. And the grand stone gateway? It's reminiscent of the classical pilasters and Corinthian capitals found in 17th-century Amsterdam.
One final touch that adds depth to this scene are the figures painted by Van der Heyden's frequent collaborator Adriaen van de Velde. They help bring the city to life, but they also highlight the contrast between grandeur and ruin - with a one-legged beggar holding out his cap to a pair of fancy sightseers, who seem oblivious to his plight."
See it in person
An Architectural Fantasy hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
