ARTWORKS

A River Scene, with Fishermen laying a Net

Jan van Goyen (1596–1656)

The National Gallery, London

A River Scene, with Fishermen laying a Net

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Darkened varnish has taken its toll, and the true colours in Jan van Goyen’s painting are difficult to make out. The picture is almost entirely given over to a vast sky, but there’s enough movement below to capture the atmosphere of a busy autumn day on the river.

A series of diagonal lines sweeps across the picture: the net of the fisherman hauling in his catch, the sails of the boats midstream and a tall pole in the distance. A shower threatens from the grey cloud overhead, but a small patch of bright turquoise – the headscarf of a woman hunched up against the chill on board the sailing boat – enlivens the muted palette.

Across the calm waters, a square church tower is just visible. It’s thought to be the tower of the Grote Kerk in Dordrecht, a town van Goyen often depicted in his paintings.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

A River Scene, with Fishermen laying a Net

Date

1638

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 31.1 x W 25.8 cm

Accession number

NG2580

Acquisition method

Salting Bequest, 1910

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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