A River near a Town, by Moonlight
- Artist: Aert van der Neer
- Date: about 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 near a Town, by Moonlight" by Aert van der Neer.
The moon has appeared only briefly in this painting, breaking through a tiny gap in a cloudy sky. The cool light creates a contrast between the deep darkness in the town's shadowy outlines 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 here not only provides an interesting way to light up a pleasing view but also enables people to keep working and moving. Several fishing boats are returning to their moorings at the town quay, making the most of the extra visibility.
This painting is characteristic of van der Neer's style with reddish hues adding a hint of storminess and a dramatic mood heightened by the remarkably turbulent sky. He was one of the successful specialists in moonlit landscapes, and this is just one of many he painted.
See it in person
A River near a Town, by Moonlight 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.
