Artwork

Landscape at a waterfall

Landscape at a waterfall, by Alexander Keirincx, oil, 1636
Landscape at a waterfall, by Alexander Keirincx, oil, 1636

Landscape at a waterfall is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Alexander Keirincx. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1636, Landscape at a Waterfall is an oil painting by Flemish artist Alexander Keirincx. Executed during his period of activity in the Dutch Republic, the work portrays a wooded scene dominated by a cascading waterfall, framed by trees, hills and a sky of muted blue. The composition includes a figure in motion and a dog, adding narrative interest to the natural setting.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif is a forested waterfall, rendered with a sense of depth that draws the eye toward the distant hills. A man in a light shirt and dark trousers rushes toward the water, accompanied by a dog, suggesting a moment of pursuit or exploration within the landscape. The inclusion of human and animal figures serves to animate the otherwise tranquil environment.

Technique & Style

Keirincx employs the oil medium to achieve a layered, richly textured surface, allowing subtle gradations of green and brown to convey foliage and rock. The handling of light on the water and the atmospheric sky reflects the Dutch Golden Age’s attention to naturalistic detail, while the composition balances foreground activity with a receding background, typical of his wooded landscapes.

History & Provenance

The painting belongs to the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Dutch Golden Age holdings. Keirincx, trained in Antwerp, spent much of his career in the Dutch Republic before later receiving commissions in England, but this work dates from his earlier Dutch period.

Context

Landscape at a Waterfall exemplifies the 17th‑century Dutch interest in idealized yet realistic nature scenes, a genre in which Keirincx specialized alongside collaborators such as Cornelis van Poelenburch. The work reflects contemporary tastes for detailed forest vistas that combined topographical observation with a subtle narrative element, aligning it with the broader Flemish‑Dutch landscape tradition.

Landscape with a waterfall
Landscape with a waterfall, Jean-Louis de Marne

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alexander Keirincx

Artist

Alexander Keirincx

Alexander Keirincx (23 January 1600 in Antwerp – 1652 in Amsterdam) was a Flemish landscape painter who is known for his wooded landscapes with figures as well as his 'portraits' of English castles and country houses.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Landscape at a waterfall?

Landscape at a waterfall was painted by Alexander Keirincx in 1636.

Where can I see Landscape at a waterfall?

Landscape at a waterfall is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Landscape at a waterfall?

Landscape at a waterfall is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Landscape at a waterfall?

Museum-quality prints of Landscape at a waterfall are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.