A River Landscape
- Artist: Jan van Goyen
- Date: 1645
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "A River Landscape" painted in 1645 by Jan van Goyen. The painting has been affected by a coat of yellowed varnish, which has dulled its original soft and muted colours. However, even with this alteration, we can sense the tranquillity of the scene before us.
Notice how the vast sky dominates the composition, while the quiet ripple of the water under the small boat heading upriver adds to the peaceful atmosphere. The patient cows grazing close to us seem completely unbothered by their surroundings. On the far bank, a boat is moored, but its passengers appear unconcerned even with the heavy wagon being pulled across on board.
In the distance, we see a little village nestled between the trees, its rooftops jumbled together in a way that creates a sense of intimacy and closeness. The spire of the church rises above the trees, piercing the clouds like a slender finger reaching for the sky.
While it hasn't been identified as a particular Dutch village, this painting is one of several versions of the same view painted by van Goyen during his career.
See it in person
A River Landscape hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
