Artwork
Halting at a roadside inn
Halting at a roadside inn is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter de Molijn. It dates from 1657 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work was executed on a copper support using oil paint, resulting in a landscape format measuring 27.
The work was executed on a copper support using oil paint, resulting in a landscape format measuring 27.5 centimeters in height by 35.5 centimeters in width. This painting exemplifies de Molijn's approach to tonal landscape rendering through layered brushwork and subtle gradations of light, contributing to its enduring visual presence within the Dutch Golden Age tradition.
The surface bears a fine crackle pattern consistent with the natural aging of oil on metal support, though no structural instability has been documented in conservation records.
History & Provenance
Pieter de Molijn created this landscape in 1657 on copper support. The work entered the collection of Gijsbert de Clercq before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum.
The painting measures 27.5 cm by 35.5 cm and is executed in oil on copper. It was completed in 1657, reflecting the artist's mature approach to Dutch landscape painting.
The artwork's provenance traces from its creation to ownership by Gijsbert de Clercq, followed by acquisition by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains part of the collection today.
The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is listed under the inventory number SK-A-1865. It entered the museum's holdings through the bequest of Gijsbert de Clercq, the original owner. The work has been part of several exhibitions focusing on Dutch Golden Age landscape painting at the institution.
Overview
Created in 1657, Halting at a Roadside Inn is a small‑scale landscape painted on copper by Pieter de Molijn, a Dutch artist active during the Golden Age. The work depicts a lively gathering of travelers beside an inn, set against a cloudy sky and rendered in muted, earthy hues. It is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a group of figures, travelers, a dog, and horses, assembled outside a rural tavern. The arrangement suggests a moment of pause during a journey, emphasizing the social interaction and transient nature of roadside encounters in 17th‑century Dutch life. The subdued palette and atmospheric sky lend the scene a quiet, contemplative mood.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter de Molijn (6 April 1595 in London – 23 March 1661 in Haarlem) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver of English birth and Flemish descent.
