Italiante capriccio landscapes: An extensive landscape with an elegant couple riding in the grounds of a country villa; A coastal landscape with peasants dancing near ruins; and A harbour scene with figures

Hendrick Danckerts was born and trained at The Hague. In 1653 he travelled to Italy where he was profoundly influenced by the Dutch Italianates working in Rome, providing him with motifs from the nearby campagna that would serve to flavour his art throughout his life. In 1657 Danckerts joined his brother in England, where Dutch artists were much in demand, and he was soon employed by Charles II as Court Painter, producing commissioned topographical views of Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace and the Queen's House in Greenwich, as well as his remarkable views of the harbours of England and Wales.