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Jan van Goyen, 'A River Scene, with Fishermen laying a Net', 1638

Key facts
Full title A River Scene, with Fishermen laying a Net
Artist Jan van Goyen
Artist dates 1596 - 1656
Date made 1638
Medium and support oil on wood
Dimensions 31.1 × 25.8 cm
Inscription summary Signed; Dated
Acquisition credit Salting Bequest, 1910
Inventory number NG2580
Location Not on display
Collection Main Collection
Previous owners
A River Scene, with Fishermen laying a Net
Jan van Goyen
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Darkened varnish has taken its toll, and the true colours in Jan van Goyen’s painting are difficult to make out. The picture is almost entirely given over to a vast sky, but there’s enough movement below to capture the atmosphere of a busy autumn day on the river.

A series of diagonal lines sweeps across the picture: the net of the fisherman hauling in his catch, the sails of the boats midstream and a tall pole in the distance. A shower threatens from the grey cloud overhead, but a small patch of bright turquoise – the headscarf of a woman hunched up against the chill on board the sailing boat – enlivens the muted palette.

Across the calm waters, a square church tower is just visible. It’s thought to be the tower of the Grote Kerk in Dordrecht, a town van Goyen often depicted in his paintings.

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