Jacob van Ruisdael

Jacob van Ruisdael (1628-1682)

The Haarlem-born painter Jacob van Ruisdael began to paint at an early age. His first work dates from 1646. Ruisdael (with an 'i')Ruisdael with an 'i'The family of Jacob van Ruisdael was really named De Goyer, until his uncle Salomon and his father Isaack changed their name to Ruysdael. They named themselves after a castle near their father's birthplace, Blaricum. Their nephew, Jacob was the only one to write the new family name with an 'i': Ruisdael. probably had lessons from his father, but his uncle, the artist Salomon van Ruysdael, must also have been a great influence on the young painter. As well as being a painter, Ruisdael was also a doctor. Ruisdael's paintings depict untamed nature in its many different guises. He painted not only woodland landscapes with strong, central motifs such as ruins, watermills and oaks, but also cityscapes and seascapes. Ruisdael's compositions are often more imposing than reality. His 'Bentheim Castle' and 'Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede' are good examples of this.