An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
River Landscape with a Ferry1656
Artist: Salomon van Ruysdael
Dutch, c. 1602–1670
Dutch landscape. Golden Age of Holland. A wide river with various river craft, which stretches across the width of the canvas and flows to meet the horizon. In the far right distance, a village can be seen through a gentle mist, while on the wooded bank to the left, a cart filled with singing and shouting peasants stands before a row of cottages. As they wave to the boatload of passengers approaching the shore, a ferryboat loaded with cattle pushes off. Further upstream, a boat in full sail carries its passengers toward the distant hamlet with its church steeple.
41 1/2 x 52 7/8 x 1 1/8 in. (105.41 x 134.3 x 2.86 cm) (canvas)
67 in. (170.18 cm) (diagonal)
Oil on canvas
Painting
Netherlands
17th century
The William Hood Dunwoody Fund
On the canvas of Dutch life, nothing speaks to the soul quite like the sight of boats gliding on a wide river beneath a blanket of clouds. Picture a ferry, eager to meet the shore, its hull cutting through the water’s smooth surface. Nearby, a rowboat dances lightly, its passengers caught up in the simplicity of reeling joy from the gentle waves. And further still, a sailboat stretches its fabric wings, drifting toward the horizon, where sky and water blend into a seamless embrace.
In the Netherlands, water is not just a feature of the landscape; it is the lifeblood that flows through the veins of a nation. Rivers and canals serve as the main highways of commerce, vital arteries that have nourished the country’s economy for centuries.
These tranquil images—gentle boats floating upon serene waters—echo deeply within the hearts of the Dutch. They symbolize not only the beauty of their surroundings but also the enduring peace and prosperity achieved by a country newly embraced by independence. As the clouds drift by overhead, the boats continue their leisurely passage, painting a picture of harmony that resonates powerfully with all who gaze upon it.
About the artist
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