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Notes

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Aert van der Neer was one of the most successful specialists in moonlit landscapes, and this is one of many he painted. The moon here has appeared only briefly, breaking through a tiny gap in a cloudy sky. The cool light creates a contrast between the deep darkness in the shadowy outlines of the town and the highlights on the rooftops and gable ends. It reflects dully off the surface of the river and washes over the fields and farmsteads on the opposite bank.

The moon didn’t only provide an interesting way to light up a pleasing view, it also enabled people to keep working and moving. Here several fishing boats are returning to their moorings at the town quay, making the most of the extra visibility. The reddish hues are characteristic of van der Neer’s style; they add a hint of storminess, a dramatic mood which is heightened here by a remarkably turbulent sky.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

A River near a Town, by Moonlight

Date

about 1645

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 30.3 x W 48.4 cm

Accession number

NG239

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Lord Colborne, 1854

Work type

Painting

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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A River near a Town, by Moonlight

Aert van der Neer (1603–1677)

The National Gallery, London

How you can use this image

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Notes

The National Gallery, London