View of Haarlem

A typically Dutch landscape: flat with plenty of sky. In the background lies the city of Haarlem. Lengths of linen are lying on the fields in the sun, bleaching. Here and there the sun breaks through the cloudy sky casting rays of light that glance across the meadow landscape. The sun illuminates the red roofs of the houses in the foreground and the white arms of the windmill. Even the town, although far away, is being shone upon in places. The large church in the middle is the church of St Bavo. Jacob van Ruisdael specialised in painting landscapes. He painted several views of Haarlem.