Tree trunk in a wooded landscape.

Drawing, charcoal heightened with white, 21,1 x 24,6 cm, blue paper, unsigned (sm. tear at lower left corner, possibly trimmed).

Under passe-partout.

A vivid landscape drawing, attributed to Jacques d’Arthois (1613-1686). He belonged to a group of Flemish landscape artists active in the surroundings of Brussels around the middle of the seventeenth century. His work shows a strong resemblance to that of his presumed teacher, Lodewijk de Vadder (1605-1655) and his prolific contemporary Lucas Achtschellink. D'Artois soon developed into a very successful landscape painter, setting the trend in Brussels for the second half of the 17th century. He gained special fame with the very large landscapes that were just beginning to become acceptable for the decoration of churches, abbeys etc. He stayed in Brussels until his death. He is known for his woodland compositions in charcoal and black chalk, often drawn in and around the Brussels Sonian forest (forêt de Soignes).
Ref. M. Kervyn de Meerendré, Les peintres flamands de paysage au XVIIe siècle: le baroque Anversois et l'école Bruxelloise, Brussels 1989, pp. 125-144. - https://rkd.nl/explore/artists/2624.
Prov. Christie's Sale (London), 05.07.2000, no. 304. - Prouté Sale (Paris), 02.06.2005, no. 5. - Kervyn de Meerendré.