Who painted River with Town?

River with Town was painted by Cornelis Ploos van Amstel in 1775.

Where can I see River with Town?

River with Town is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is River with Town?

River with Town is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

River with Town

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel , 1775

River with Town is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in image: P Coopse F

About this work

Overview

Created in 1775, the print titled River with Town is an etching and roulette work by Dutch artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel. Executed in black ink on laid paper, the image presents a tranquil river scene framed by a modest settlement, its architecture rendered in simplified silhouette against a muted sky.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a calm waterway traversed by three vessels: two tall sailing ships near the bank, their masts intersecting, and a small rowboat in the foreground occupied by two figures. Across the river, a cluster of low‑lying houses and church spires marks the town, suggesting a peaceful, everyday landscape rather than a dramatic narrative.

Technique & Style

Ploos van Amstel employed a combination of etching and roulette, the latter creating a stippled texture that softens the surface. The lines are deliberately coarse, resembling needlework, and are layered to suggest form without precise detail. This approach yields a sketch‑like quality, where water appears smooth and architectural elements emerge as faint outlines.

History & Provenance

The work belongs to the late‑18th‑century Dutch printmaking tradition, a period when artists frequently documented local scenery for both aesthetic and documentary purposes. While specific ownership records for this particular impression are limited, it is catalogued among Ploos van Amstel’s prints that illustrate his interest in topographical subjects and his skill in combining etching with roulette techniques.