The Construction of a House
Jacob van Ruisdael·1660
Historical Context
The Construction of a House from around 1660 is an unusual subject for Ruisdael, documenting human activity within the landscape. The scene of building reflects the expansive Dutch economy and the ongoing development of the countryside during the Golden Age. Ruisdael executed such works using layered oil glazes over a toned ground, building luminosity and atmospheric depth through careful wet-on-dry technique. By his death in 1682, his output of some seven hundred paintings had made him the m...
Technical Analysis
The composition integrates the construction activity into a broader landscape setting. Ruisdael's observational precision captures the architectural detail of the building process.
