His artistic approach focused on the effects of light at different times of day. In works such as Diverse Views in and around Rome and De Porta Pinciana te Rome, he used thin washes of colour and careful etching lines to suggest atmosphere. Unlike earlier painters who used rigid compositions, Swanevelt introduced a more natural flow to his scenes. He often placed small figures or animals, such as those in Animals in Landscapes: Donkeys, to provide a sense of scale against large trees and ancient ruins.

Modern collectors value Swanevelt for the calm and balance found in his compositions. His etchings, including The Flight into Egypt series, offer a window into a seventeenth-century vision of the classical world. These prints provide a sophisticated aesthetic for contemporary interiors. The combination of architectural ruins and soft foliage creates a quiet atmosphere that suits both traditional and minimalist spaces.