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A Road winding between Trees towards a Distant Cottage

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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A rutted road leads into a wood and winds round to the right and over a rise to disappear. This is an often repeated theme in Jacob van Ruisdael’s early paintings – scenes of the Dutch countryside designed to please busy city dwellers wanting a moment of tranquillity in the home, or a reminder of pleasant days out among nature.

But X-ray images show that the picture once looked very different – the whole of the small scene beyond the two figures climbing up the rise is a late addition. Why van Ruisdael made the change, we don't know. Without the sun tipping the leaves of the distant trees, the picture would become much darker and more sombre. The oak tree against the sky would be almost overpowering – something far removed from a comforting rustic scene.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

A Road winding between Trees towards a Distant Cottage

Date

probably 1645-50

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 32.6 x W 30.4 cm

Accession number

NG988

Acquisition method

Wynn Ellis Bequest, 1876

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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