Evening. Amsterdam in the background
1677
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
1677
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
Dominant colour
Evening. Amsterdam in the background is a 1677 by Unknown, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.
This black-and-white image shows a busy harbor scene with three large ships and a smaller boat in the foreground. The ships have tall masts and sails, some lowered, while the smaller boat carries a few people. In the distance, you can see the outline of buildings and a cloudy sky over the water. The smaller boat’s passengers appear to be rowing or preparing to dock, while the ships look ready for a journey. The painting uses strong light and shadow to create depth, which is a key part of its style. If you like this look, check out *chiaroscuro* for more on how artists use light and shadow.