Salomon van Ruysdael

Mrs. Arthur Corwin, Greenwich;
With Newhouse Galleries, New York;
From whom acquired by Derek Lidow;
By whom sold, New York, Sotheby's, 1 June 1990, lot 34;
There acquired and thence by descent. 

The original panel has been backed with a modern piece of wood, which has in turn been cradled on the reverse. The original panel however does appear to have been comprised of three pieces of wood as the original horizontal joins are visible on the front of the composition under ultraviolet light. The painting itself appears to be in lovely condition with much of the thick paint in the sky and small details in the foliage still intact. There are no major damages whatsoever visible either to the naked eye or under ultraviolet light. In a carved gilt wood frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Salomon van Ruysdael was one of the leading figures in landscape painting of the Dutch Golden Age.  Like his contemporary Jan van Goyen, Ruysdael's style was influenced by Pieter Molyn and the tonal school of landscape painting.  Ruysdael, though, invented his own distinct pictorial tools to create harmonious compositions that not only set him apart from his contemporaries but also beautifully captured the landscape of his native country.    

Ruysdael is perhaps most well-known for his river landscapes, the earliest of which are dated to the 1630s.  Over the next few decades, his palette would develop from of more  monochromatic tone to that of more varied colors.  The present painting, signed and datable to the late 1640s, is typical of his works from this prolific period.  A soft, golden light sets the tone for the overall scene, enlivened by subtle tones of red, green and blue.  Two trees to the left and right of the picture plane frame the charming scene and serve as repoussoir devices that invite the eye to explore a quiet day in a village on the banks of a river.