Artwork
The ford
The ford is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob van Ruisdael. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The inclusion of the horse suggests themes of travel or daily life in the countryside, framed by the arboreal elements that define the scene's structure.
The work is a landscape painting that depicts a natural scene featuring a horse and trees. As a landscape genre piece, the composition centers on these specific elements to illustrate a rural setting. The subject matter focuses on the interaction between the animal and the surrounding vegetation within the depicted ford environment.
The imagery represents a typical Dutch Golden Age landscape, emphasizing the presence of nature and animal life. The inclusion of the horse suggests themes of travel or daily life in the countryside, framed by the arboreal elements that define the scene's structure.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1660, this landscape painting is an oil work applied to a canvas support. The composition measures 67.5 cm in height and 85 cm in width. Attributed primarily to Jacob van Ruisdael, the piece also carries an association with Philips Wouwerman according to some records.
The visual narrative focuses on natural elements, specifically depicting horses and trees within the scene. The work is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
History & Provenance
The painting known as The Ford was created by Jacob van Ruisdael in 1660. While some records associate the work with Philips Wouwerman, the primary attribution remains with Ruisdael. The piece was executed in oil paint on canvas and depicts a landscape featuring horses and trees.
The work's ownership history traces back to the Six family line, specifically Jan Six van Vromade, followed by Pieter Hendrik Six van Vromade, Jan Pieter Six VI, and Hendrik Six van Hillegom. It was later held by Lucretia Johanna van Winter before entering the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently located.
Overview
Jacob van Ruisdael’s oil painting, dated to 1660, portrays a tranquil rural crossing where figures and horses navigate a shallow stream amid a wooded landscape. Tall, leafy trees frame the scene under a bright, slightly hazy sky, while the water mirrors the heavens, lending a gentle luminosity to the composition.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jacob Isaackszoon van Ruisdael was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and etcher. He is generally considered the pre-eminent landscape painter of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great wealth and cultural achievement when…
