Castle and Watermill by a River, c. 1670
Jacob van Ruisdaelexpand_more
Oil on canvasexpand_more
The John R. Van Derlip Fund and Gift of funds from Margaret Weyerhaeuser Harmon, by exchangeexpand_more 88.43
Not on Viewexpand_more
Jacob van Ruisdael, the most celebrated Dutch landscape painter of the 1600s, composed these imaginary landscapes late in his career. The half-timbered buildings are typical of Germany, not Holland. The hilly, sometimes mountainous topography is also out of place—Holland is notoriously flat. But drama, not realism, is what van Ruisdael is after. He highlights nature’s beautiful contrasts by juxtaposing dark woods with bright clouds lit by raking, late afternoon sunlight. The serene, subdued subject evokes a melancholy and peaceful scene.
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Details
- Title
- Castle and Watermill by a River
- Artist Life
- 1628 or 1629–1682
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 88.43
- Curator Approved
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