A Woodland Landscape
Probably Amsterdam, the early 1660s
Oil on canvas
61 x 84.5 cm
The Dutch landscapist Jacob van Ruisdael painted many types of landscape, including numerous woodland scenes.
In this comparatively open example a drover pauses as his animals cross a river; beyond the bridge, a flock of sheep graze a meadow. In contrast to his contemporary Claude Lorrain, and the classical landscape tradition, the path and the river are blocked off and the viewer is not encouraged to travel imaginatively into the distance. The animals and figures were probably painted by Adriaen van de Velde (1636-1672) who often collaborated with landscape artists.
Purchased 1938 (No.38.11)
