The Dawn of Civilization

The people in this painting of a vast, rugged landscape are wearing animal skins, hence the title, The Dawn of Civilization. On the left is a large opening in the rock face and beside it a cave, in which a fire burns. Goats pick their way over the cliffs, and a goatherd plays a pipe. On the right is a dwelling made from branches and reed mats, inhabited by children, adults and elderly people. The painting is one of six presently known by Cornelis van Dalem.

Van Dalem’s life is discussed in Karel van Mander’s Schilder-Boeck, a compilation of biographies of artists, which was published in 1604. From this source, we learn that van Dalem’s parents encouraged their son to paint for his pleasure and entertainment. He seldom, if ever, painted in his later years. Van Mander also says that Van Dalem’s pupil, Bartholomeus Spranger, learnt little from his teacher, who spent much of his time with his nose buried in a history or poetry book. Van Dalem cared little whether Spranger actually produced anything. He simply ensured that his pupil’s paints and equipment were at hand in the event that he might want to use them. In 1562, Van Dalem bought a house in Antwerp. However, he was forced to leave the city soon afterwards, due to his religious affiliation. In 1565, he had a house built in Bavel, near Breda.