A View across a River near Dordrecht (?)
- Artist: Ludolf Bakhuizen
- Date: about 1665
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "A View across a River near Dordrecht" by Ludolf Bakhuizen, painted around 1665 in the Netherlands. Bakhuizen's style often depicted turbulent seas and boats scudding before the wind, evoking the sound of straining timbers and slapping rigging. In this painting, we see a northern sea with waves crashing against the shore. A small flat-bottomed boat lies low in the water, struggling to stay upright as it fights the currents.
On the horizon, you can make out the town of Dordrecht, with its iconic Grote Kerk and Groothoofdspoort visible in the distance. The sail of a windmill stands tall between these two landmarks, and on the left, a wooden pier juts into the sea where a man and woman are preparing fish for sale.
What's particularly interesting about this painting is how Bakhuizen captures the sense of movement and power of the sea. He was known to rarely depict calm seas, instead opting for turbulent waters that evoke a sense of drama and energy. The brushstrokes in this piece are expressive and dynamic, conveying the force of nature as it clashes with human endeavors.
This is just one example of Bakhuizen's work, but it gives you an idea of his unique style and focus on capturing the raw power of the sea.
See it in person
A View across a River near Dordrecht (?) 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.
