Jacob van Ruisdael - A Cottage and a Hayrick by a River [c.1646-50]

Jacob van Ruisdael - A Cottage and a Hayrick by a River [c.1646-50], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Jacob van Ruisdael's early work, like this delicate landscape of the 1640s, is often influenced by the style of his uncle, Salomon van Ruysdael, who may have been one of his teachers. This river landscape is characteristic of Salomon's compositions. In the late 18th and 19th centuries this picture had a companion piece, A Cornfield, the present location of which is unknown. A drawing related to the composition is known and a variant survives in Detroit (Institute of Arts).

[National Gallery, London - Oil on oak, 26 x 33.4 cm]