Fishing Boats on a River
The Met
Artist: Salomon van Ruysdael(Dutch, Naarden, born ca. 1600–1603, died 1670 Haarlem)
Date: early 1660s
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: Overall, with added strips, 14 3/4 x 21 7/8 in. (37.5 x 55.6 cm); painted surface 14 1/4 x 21 1/4 in. (36.2 x 54 cm)
Credit Line: From the Collection of Rita and Frits Markus, Bequest of Rita Markus, 2005
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Several sailboats on a wide body of water under a dramatic cloudy sky
Detailed Description
A wide, calm body of water is depicted under a vast, cloudy sky. In the foreground, slightly left of center, a large, dark-hulled sailboat with two tall masts and dark reddish-brown sails is prominent. Several figures are visible on its deck and in a small rowboat tethered to its side. A small flag, possibly red and white, flies at the top of the main mast. To the far left, a smaller sailboat with a single white sail is visible in the distance. Towards the right midground, another dark-hulled boat with a single white sail carries several figures, some appearing to be engaged in an activity near the water. A small rowboat with two figures is positioned closer to the right edge, near some wooden posts sticking out of the water. A long line of dark objects, possibly fishing nets or buoys, stretches across the water from the right midground to the center. Several small birds are depicted flying in the sky and resting on the water. The sky occupies the upper two-thirds of the scene, filled with large, heavy grey and white clouds, with patches of lighter blue sky visible between them, particularly towards the upper right. The clouds reflect in the calm water below, creating areas of light and shadow. The overall color palette is muted, dominated by blues, greys, and browns, with touches of white and reddish-brown. A faint, low horizon line with distant land or structures is visible across the entire width of the scene.
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