Jacob Isaacz. van Ruisdael

Sale, Amsterdam, F. Muller, 15 December 1942, lot 839 (as Ruisdael);
sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 16 November 2005, lot 77 (as Circle of Jacob van Ruisdael)

In the 2005 sale catalogue, it was noted that the location depicted had been identified as Bergh in Gelderland, but that is unconvincing, for topographical reasons.  Although the inscription on the verso cannot now be read in its entirety, it could well say de brug op beek in 't Gooi.  There is indeed a location called De Beek in the Gooi region near Naarden, from which the Gooimeer would be visible, roughly as far away as the expanse of water in the background of this view. 

The earlier attribution to Ruisdael cannot be maintained, but there are strong stylistic affinities with a number of signed drawings by his close associate, Jan van Kessel, for example two sheets at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, and an attribution to Van Kessel should be seriously considered.¹

1. A.I. Davies, Jan van Kessel, Doornspijk 1992, cat. nos. d47, d65, reproduced figs 230, 248