A Waterfall in a Rocky Landscape
Jacob van Ruisdael·1660
Historical Context
Van Ruisdael's Waterfall in a Rocky Landscape from around 1660, in the National Gallery London, is one of his most impressive imaginary Scandinavian-inspired compositions. These dramatic mountain and waterfall landscapes allowed van Ruisdael to explore the sublime in nature—a concept that would not be formally articulated until the following century but which his paintings powerfully embodied. The contrast with his quiet Dutch panoramas demonstrates the remarkable range of his artistic imagination.
Technical Analysis
The composition builds dramatic energy through the cascading waterfall surrounded by dark rocks and broken trees. Van Ruisdael's technique for rendering turbulent water—from the smooth flow above the falls to the foaming spray below—demonstrates his careful study of water's physical behavior.
