River Scene with Windmill and Boats, Evening
Anthonie van Borssom·c. 1645
Historical Context
Anthonie van Borssom painted this river scene with windmill and boats around 1645, contributing to the Dutch tradition of atmospheric river landscapes. Van Borssom was a painter and etcher who worked in Amsterdam, influenced by Rembrandt's landscape style. His tranquil river scenes capture the flat, water-dominated Dutch landscape with particular sensitivity to the effects of evening light on water and sky.
Technical Analysis
Van Borssom's oil on panel renders the evening atmosphere with warm, golden tones that create a contemplative mood. The windmill silhouetted against the sky and the reflected light on the river demonstrate his skill in capturing the distinctive character of the Dutch waterway landscape.
Provenance
Private collection, Lugano, by c. 1955; purchased through (anonymous dealer, Austria) by (David M. Koetser Gallery, Zurich);[1] purchased April 1998 by Robert H. [1928-2009] and Clarice Smith, Arlington, VA; by inheritance to Clarice Smith; gift 2012 to NGA. [1] Wolfgang Schulz, _Aert Van Der Neer_, Doornspijk, 2002: 432, no. 1239, fig. 266; letter, David Koetser to Robert Smith, 20 March 1998, copy in NGA curatorial files.
