Early Netherlandish drawings, 1400–1600

This beautifully illustrated volume presents drawings from the Low Countries – present-day Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands – dating from around 1400 to 1600. It is the culmination of a five-year research project combining curatorial, conservation and scientific expertise from the British Museum.

During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Low Countries were the economic and artistic powerhouse of northern Europe. This book traces the development and function of drawings as vital records of creativity and exchange, offering insight into artistic techniques, styles and workshop practice. It also addresses key questions about how these early drawings were made, used and understood by their contemporaries.

Drawing on more than 1,200 sheets from the British Museum’s outstanding collection, selected case studies are brought together to offer a new understanding of Netherlandish drawing. Highlights include works by Rogier van der Weyden, Lucas van Leyden, Pieter Bruegel and Hendrick Goltzius, alongside lesser-known artists, anonymous works and workshop copies, presenting a rich and comprehensive account of drawing in the region.