Another fitting example here is that of Hercules Segers, disregarded and yet a great artist......His observation was unwavering and effective, particularly in his design of landscapes and compositions, with imaginary mountains and caves. It was as if he were pregnant with whole provinces, giving birth to them with immeasurable spaces, and picturing them to a marvel in his paintings and prints.

Introduction to the Academy of Painting, or the Visible World (1678)