This river landscape from 1641, signed by Salomon van Ruysdael on the edge of the boat, is an excellent example of this theme which was so central to Ruysdael's work. Particularly during the 1640s, he produced numerous, repetitive variations on this theme.
The view is that on a warm Spring day which portends thunder showers. Dark clouds are beginning to cover the sun and cast their shadow on the view in the left half of the painting: the right half of the sky and the surface of the river are still light. The direction of the light is nonetheless still from the shadowy side, where rays of light break through the thunderclouds and delineate the magnificent landscape. Ruysdael has used this contradictory light to startling effect in his efforts to create the suffocating atmosphere of a thunderstorm on an otherwise sunny day.
The broad bank of the river comes into the painting from the left; the viewer's gaze follows it to the right, where the edge of the river disappears behind the outlines of a far-off city on the still bright horizon. The foreground shows a bend in the river fringed by a wood, and a small herd of cows that has come down to drink on the sandy shore. The ruins of Egmond Castle can be seen rising above the wood, sharp against the thundery sky which threateningly darkens the left side of the Castle. At the water's edge, a huge ancient tree rises above the bend in the river, a tree whose presence inspires respect and commands the entire view. Several different boats have collected in the bend: a net is being drawn up into a fisherman's boat, and under the tree rests a stylish sailboat carrying the coat of arms of Amsterdam. In front of the sailboat, a ferry crowded with people slowly makes its way across the river. More boats can be seen further along in the river channel.
The overall effect of the river landscape is that of a spacious, clear composition, but the abundant details have certainly not been neglected at the expense of the broader lines. The view itself buzzes with richly vibrant details, each carefully painted: the expressive, tiny, human figures, birds, everyday objects. The lonely pole lying at an angle at the bottom right of the painting is a detail which frequently appears in Ruysdael's river landscapes: it appears trifling in importance, but from the point of view of the balance of the composition, it is a very important trifle.
The landscape should not be treated as an exact, documentary depiction of the environment around the ruins of Egmond Castle. Ruysdael has built his landscape of carefully selected elements taken from many places to create an harmonious whole according to a definite plan. Egmond Castle was not painted solely for its picturesque effect. The castle ruins are strongly associated with patriotic feelings, because the Count of Egmont was a hero and martyr who died in the fight for the freedom of Holland in the 16th century.
Salomon van Ruysdael River landscape with the ruins of the Castle of Egmond
