Jacob van Ruisdael
Pre-eminent landscape painter of the Dutch Golden Age.
Jacob Isaackszoon van Ruisdael (c. 1629 – 10 March 1682) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and etcher, generally considered the pre-eminent landscape painter of the Dutch Golden Age. He depicted a wide variety of landscape subjects, from Dutch countryside scenes to Scandinavian views featuring waterfalls, and his work was in demand in the Dutch Republic during his lifetime.
- born
- c. 1629 in Haarlem
- died
- 10 March 1682 in Amsterdam
- field
- Painting, drawing, etching
- nationality
- Dutch
- known_for
- Landscape painting of the Dutch Golden Age
Lore & Background
Jacob Isaackszoon van Ruisdael was born in Haarlem in 1628 or 1629 into a family of painters, all landscapists. His teacher is unknown, though he appears to have been strongly influenced by contemporary Haarlem landscapists such as Cornelis Vroom and Allart van Everdingen. The earliest date on a Ruisdael painting and etching is 1646, and two years later he was admitted to the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke. Around 1657 he moved to Amsterdam, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. His only registered pupil was Meindert Hobbema, whose work has at times been confused with Ruisdael's. Ruisdael did not marry, and no likeness of him is known to exist. He was buried in Saint Bavo's Church, Haarlem.
Reader's Guide
Ruisdael's work shaped landscape painting traditions worldwide, from the English Romantics to the Barbizon school in France and the Hudson River School in the United States, and influenced generations of Dutch landscape artists. His early work from c. 1646 to the early 1650s is characterized by simple motifs and careful study of nature, with accurate rendering of trees unprecedented at the time. In his late work in Amsterdam, he added city panoramas and seascapes, often with the sky taking up two-thirds of the canvas. He produced more than 150 Scandinavian views featuring waterfalls, though there is no record of him having travelled to Scandinavia. Today his works are held in major collections including the National Gallery in London, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Did You Know?
- Ruisdael always spelled his name with an 'i', not a 'y'.
- He produced more than 150 Scandinavian views featuring waterfalls, though he never travelled to Scandinavia.
- His only registered pupil was Meindert Hobbema.
- There is speculation that Ruisdael may have also been a doctor, but the evidence is inconclusive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jacob van Ruisdael?
Jacob Isaackszoon van Ruisdael was a 17th-century Dutch artist who worked as a painter, draughtsman, and etcher. He is widely regarded as the greatest landscape painter to come out of the Dutch Golden Age.
What is Jacob van Ruisdael most known for?
He is best remembered for his landscape paintings spanning quiet Dutch rural settings to dramatic Scandinavian scenes with waterfalls. His work was commercially popular in the Dutch Republic during his own lifetime.
When and where was Jacob van Ruisdael born, and when did he die?
He was born around 1629 in Haarlem and died on 10 March 1682 in Amsterdam. His active career covered roughly the middle decades of the seventeenth century.
What mediums and subjects did Jacob van Ruisdael work in?
In addition to oil paintings, he produced drawings and etchings. His subject matter ranged from everyday Dutch countryside vistas to more exotic Nordic landscapes featuring waterfalls.
Why is Jacob van Ruisdael considered important in art history?
He is generally held up as the pre-eminent landscape painter of the Dutch Golden Age, setting a high technical and compositional standard for the genre. His broad range of subjects and strong demand for his work during his lifetime underscore his lasting influence.
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