Lot 1036 Dα

Jan van Goyen frequently painted works in this small, round format. The first known piece of this kind is dated 1621, the last 1641. The present work is dated 1633 and thus originates from the artists mature period. It assembles all of the stylistic elements for which Goyen was considered one of the most important Dutch landscape painters of his time. His works were treasured for the unmistakeable appearance of calm and harmony between man and nature that they exuded. Van Goyen achieved this through the use of reduced compositional planes and an unpretentious, tonal and almost monochrome colour palette of yellow and grey green hues. The present image, with its calm waters, figures meditatively going about their work and naturalistic landscape is a characteristic example of his style.