Get a giclee of River View with Sentry Post, Jan van Goyen, 1644 - Dutch Golden Age

Quick Facts

Subject or theme: River landscape and military architecture
Movement: Dutch Golden Age
Year: 1644
Dimensions: 46 x 66 cm
Title: River View with Sentry Post
Artist: Jan Josephszoon van Goyen

Artwork Description

The motif of the square defensive tower, also known as a redoubt, fascinated Van Goyen for some years. It features in several paintings made between 1640 and 1652, generally with a cannon and a beacon standing in front of it, as in this painting.1 Towers like this stood at various places in the country. They dated from the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648) and served primarily as sentry or lookout posts, or both.2 Since the fortress of Schenkenschans has been recognized among the buildings in the background of this and several related works with the same subject, it is assumed that the towers depicted by Van Goyen stood in the frontier region along the Rhine.3 The composition of this work displays close similarities to a painting dated 1644 in Boston.4 The date on the Amsterdam version is not very legible, but should probably also be read as 1644.5 The inscription was apparently not always spotted in the earliest publications on the painting.6 The 1644 date accords well with the dendrochronology, which gives 1643 as the most likely year for the panel to have been ready for use.7 It is noteworthy that both planks that make up the support of the present painting are from the same tree as one of the planks of the panel of Van Goyen’s View of Rhenen from the West in Hamburg.8 Gerdien Wuestman, 2007 See Bibliography and Rijksmuseum painting catalogues See Key to abbreviations and Acknowledgements This entry was published in J. Bikker (ed.), Dutch Paintings of the Seventeenth Century in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, I: Artists Born between 1570 and 1600, coll. cat. Amsterdam 2007, no. 92.

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Artist Biography

Jan Josephszoon van Goyen: A Life in Landscape

Early Life and Training

Born on January 13, 1596, in Leiden, Netherlands, Jan Josephszoon van Goyen emerged as a pivotal figure in Dutch Golden Age painting.
He initially apprenticed in Leiden before furthering his studies under Esaias van de Velde in Haarlem. This foundational training proved crucial to his artistic development.

Artistic Style and Development

Van Goyen’s style is immediately recognizable for its simplicity, subtle tonal variations, and use of a limited palette – primarily grays, browns, and greens.
He moved away from the more colorful and detailed landscapes popular at the time, pioneering a more realistic and atmospheric approach.
His early works show influence from Van de Velde, but he quickly developed his own distinctive style focusing on capturing the essence of Dutch landscapes.

Prolific Output and Notable Works

Van Goyen was an incredibly prolific artist, producing an estimated 1,200 paintings and over 1,000 drawings throughout his career.
Notable works include: River Landscape with Windmill, a quintessential example of his tonal landscapes; and Fishermen by the Lakeshore, showcasing his ability to depict serene waterscapes.
He frequently painted scenes of rivers, lakes, dunes, and expansive skies, capturing the unique character of the Dutch countryside.

Influences and Legacy

While influenced by Van de Velde, Van Goyen’s work itself became highly influential.
He directly impacted artists such as Jan Steen, who was one of his pupils.
His emphasis on realism and atmospheric effects paved the way for later landscape painters.

Financial Struggles and Later Life

Despite his artistic success, Van Goyen faced significant financial difficulties throughout his life.
He engaged in various business ventures, including tulip speculation (during “Tulip Mania”) and real estate investments, but often found himself deeply in debt.
At the time of his death on April 27, 1656, in The Hague, he was reportedly 18,000 guilders in debt.

Historical Significance

Van Goyen’s work is considered a cornerstone of Dutch Golden Age painting and a significant contribution to the development of landscape art.
He captured the spirit of 17th-century Holland, reflecting its growing prosperity and connection to the land.
His innovative techniques and realistic depictions continue to inspire artists and captivate audiences today.

jan josephszoon van goyen

1596 - 1656 , Netherlands

Quick Facts

Birth Date: January 13, 1596
Birth Place: Leiden, Netherlands
Death Date: April 27, 1656
Influenced: Jan Steen
Influenced By: Esaias van de Velde
Movement: Dutch Golden Age painting
Name: Jan Josephszoon van Goyen
Nationality: Dutch
Notable Works:
- River Landscape with Windmill
- Fishermen by the Lakeshore

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