Artwork
View of The Hague from the Delftse Vaart in the 17th Century

View of The Hague from the Delftse Vaart in the 17th Century is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Cornelis Springer. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This oil painting captures a serene 17th-century vista of The Hague, observed from the Delftse Vaart.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a view of The Hague from the Delftse Vaart, showing the canal, towpath, bridge, sky with clouds, a windmill, a trekschuit on the trekvaart, trees, and houses along the shore. As a landscape work by Cornelis Springer dated 1852, it represents a specific topographical vista of the Hague area, capturing the interplay of waterway, infrastructure, and rural architecture characteristic of the Dutch landscape tradition.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1852 by Cornelis Springer, this landscape is realized in oil paint on a canvas support.
Executed in 1852 by Cornelis Springer, this landscape is realized in oil paint on a canvas support. The composition captures a detailed vista of The Hague seen from the Delftse Vaart, incorporating topographical elements such as a towpath, bridge, windmill, and trekschuit beneath a cloud-filled sky. The handling of the medium renders diverse textures, from the water of the canal and shore to the foliage of trees and the architectural detail of the houses, creating a cohesive naturalistic scene within the landscape genre.
History & Provenance
View of The Hague from the Delftse Vaart in the 17th Century, executed by Cornelis Springer in 1852, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The oil-on-canvas work depicts a landscape featuring the shore, a canal, and a windmill. The sources confirm the painting's institutional home but do not provide a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they list any exhibitions for the piece.
Overview
This oil painting captures a serene 17th-century vista of The Hague, observed from the Delftse Vaart. The composition features a prominent wooden windmill on the left, its sails at rest, beside a tranquil canal. A small boat carrying passengers glides gently on the water, while a distant bridge connects pathways.
The background reveals a cluster of buildings, trees, and a distinctive church spire, all set beneath a sky dotted with soft clouds. The scene evokes a sense of everyday calm.
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