ARTWORKS

A River Landscape

Jan van Goyen (1596–1656)

The National Gallery, London

A River Landscape

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Time has not been kind to Jan van Goyen’s river landscape, and his soft muted colours have been dimmed under a coat of yellowed varnish. But we sense the tranquillity of the scene – the vast sky, the quiet ripple of the water under the small boat heading upriver and the patient cows cropping the grass close to us.

Passengers settle on the insubstantial-looking craft moored on the far bank, apparently unconcerned by the heavy wagon pulled by two horses on board. The little village between the trees seems to be a jumble of rooftops huddled together, culminating in the spire of the church piercing the clouds.

We don’t know if the painting depicts a particular Dutch village. It hasn’t been identified, but it is one of several versions of the same view painted by van Goyen during his career.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

A River Landscape

Date

1645

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 66 x W 96.5 cm

Accession number

NG151

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Mrs S.F. Hodges, 1852

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Jan van Goyen

1596–1656

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