Woodland Scene with Lake

Woodland Scene with Lake from around 1650 at the Gemaldegalerie Berlin shows the contemplative forest-and-water scenes that represent Ruisdael at his most meditative. The still lake amid dense woodland creates an atmosphere of natural sanctuary. Ruisdael built these forest scenes from close observation of the woods near Haarlem, using layered glazes to achieve the depth of dense tree canopies. His woodland paintings influenced Hobbema directly, and later inspired the Barbizon school's plein-a...

The still water reflects the surrounding woodland, creating a mirror-like doubling. Ruisdael's handling of reflected light and deep forest shadows creates a scene of atmospheric depth and quiet beauty.