Artifact World Gallery
Get the iOS app

Towpath by Jacob Maris

Jacob Maris · 1896-01-01

Towpath by Jacob Maris (1898) at the Rijksmuseum. Maris captures the fleeting light and atmosphere of a Dutch landscape.

See how the artist renders the cloudy sky with thick, visible brushstrokes, giving it a tangible quality. The calm waterway below mirrors this drama, creating a sense of depth and peace.

Maris was a leading figure of the Hague School, known for his atmospheric depictions of rural Dutch life. This painting exemplifies his skill in infusing ordinary scenes with emotional resonance and a deep connection to nature.

How does Maris's technique make you feel the weather?

Details

Maris uses thick paint to build the clouds.
Maris uses thick paint to build the clouds.
This light makes the water seem alive.
This light makes the water seem alive.
He painted the horse and rider almost as one shape.
He painted the horse and rider almost as one shape.
Transcript

Look how the sky captures the day's weather. Maris uses thick paint to build the clouds. This light makes the water seem alive. The water reflects a cloudy, moving sky. He painted the horse and rider almost as one shape. Dark blues and whites blend in his clothing. The signature is almost lost in the grass. Maris finished this in 1898.