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Horseman among the Dunes

Jan van Goyen

1628

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Landscape

Dominant colour

Horseman among the Dunes is a 1628 chalk by Jan van Goyen, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jan van Goyen
When & what style?: 1628 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a lone rider on horseback moving across a sandy landscape. The ground looks uneven, with small dunes and scattered brush. In the distance, a few simple buildings and trees line the horizon under a flat sky. The artist used only black chalk, making the lines soft and slightly smudged. The scene feels quiet and a little empty, like a moment frozen in time. Next, check out the Baroque movement to see how artists used light and drama in their work.