The Ruins of Brederode Castle

Brederode Castle in Santpoort is about three miles north of Haarlem. It was built in the 13th century and finally destroyed in 1573. The view is largely unchanged since Hobbema painted it; the ruins and moat still exist in much the same state, though restored. The figures, especially those in the left foreground, and the ducks, are by another artist, possibly Dirck Wijntrack (before 1625 - 1678).