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Jan van Goyen , Dutch, 1596-1656

Title

View of Rhenen

Date1644

MediumOil on wood panel

Dimensions

64 x 94 cm

Signedlower right: VG 1644 [VG in monogram]

Credit LineBequeathed, Sir Hugh Lane, 1918

Object numberNGI.807

DescriptionA painter and draughtsman, Van Goyen was one of the most prolific and influential landscapists of his time. He travelled the length and breadth of the northern Netherlands, recording its landscape in black chalk sketches. Even when working outdoors, Van Goyen frequently combined topographically accurate views with imaginary elements.
Located south of Utrecht, Rhenen was one of the favourite subjects of Dutch landscape painters. Boasting an impressive Late-Gothic church tower, it is one of the few Dutch towns located on a hilly riverbank. Moreover, it was home to an impressive palace built by Frederick V, King of Bohemia, when in exile. Van Goyen painted Rhenen at least 25 times. This monumental version exemplifies the artist’s preference for thinly painted monochrome landscapes. Van Goyen lost a fortune during the crash of the tulip trade in 1637. Although he completed more than 1,200 paintings and 800 drawings, he had many debts towards the end of his life. His widow even had to sell their house and its contents after the artist’s death.

March 2016

Exhibition HistoryCentenary Exhibition, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, October - December 1964

Label TextThe highly influential landscape painter Jan van Goyen travelled the length and breadth of the northern Netherlands, recording its landscape in black chalk sketches. Located south of Utrecht, Rhenen was one of the favourite subjects of Dutch landscape painters. Boasting an impressive late-Gothic church tower, it is one of the few Dutch towns located on a hilly riverbank. Van Goyen painted Rhenen at least twenty-five times. This monumental version exemplifies the artist’s preference for thinly painted monochrome landscapes. Even though the artist completed more than 1200 paintings and 800 drawings, he had accumulated many debts by the end of his life.