A View of Rhenen seen from the West
- Artist: Salomon van Ruysdael
- Date: 1648
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is "A View of Rhenen seen from the West" painted in 1648 by Salomon van Ruysdael. You can see the quiet morning atmosphere, with cows drinking from the river and boats moving upstream. The painting conveys a sense of calm and serenity, which was particularly appealing after the long conflict between the Dutch and Spanish that ended just the year before this painting was made.
Van Ruysdael used a limited palette of muted colours to capture the subtle play of light on water and land. You can see how he balanced the composition, with the river curving gently through the centre of the picture. The Dutch flag is proudly displayed on one of the boats, symbolising the newly won independence.
Look closely at the tiny buildings in the distance - you can make out windows, roof gables, and windmill sails. Van Ruysdael's depiction of Rhenen is a testament to his skill as a landscape artist. This painting would have been admired not only for its technical merit but also for its tranquil atmosphere and sense of continuity after years of conflict.
See it in person
A View of Rhenen seen from the West 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.
