The view probably depicts Steinfurt Castle in Burgsteinfurt, Westphalia, which Ruisdael is thought to have visited during his travels on the Dutch-German border in 1650–1651. Castles recur frequently in Ruisdael’s work and appealed to Dutch artists not just as recognisable local landmarks, with an aesthetic attraction, but also for their associations with impregnability and the vicissitudes of history (cf. attributed to Flinck P229). The bright colours, impastoed effects and concentrated composition seen here are typical of his work of c.1650–1655. Ruisdael balances the picturesque detail of the view with the overall design, creating a sense of space and recession into depth by successive planes of light and shade. Similarly, the treatment of the sky and clouds is characteristic of Ruisdael’s masterly ability for conveying aerial perspective, and mirrors the shifting light of the panoramic view.