Landscape with Figure Resting Under Tree by Stream

"Landscape with Figure Resting Under Tree by Stream" is an outstanding drawing by Jacob van Ruisdael Dutch, 1628/29-1682, created sometime between 1648 and 1682. This piece is characteristic of Ruisdael’s mature period and his profound influence on the landscape tradition of the Dutch Golden Age.

The work is executed using pen and black ink over graphite on tan laid paper, highlighting the artist's masterful command of light and shadow through line variation. The preliminary graphite sketch provides the structural framework, over which the ink application defines the texture of the foliage, the rugged terrain, and the specific density of the massive tree trunk dominating the scene. The decisive use of black ink effectively captures the dramatic atmosphere and depth, distinguishing Ruisdael as one of the preeminent draftsmen of the 17th-century Netherlands.

As a leading figure in the Dutch school, Ruisdael moved away from strictly idealized views to focus on the raw power and evocative mood of the natural world. The resting figure by the stream serves not only as a point of human interest but also as a device to emphasize the monumental scale of the landscape surrounding him. This focus on realistic, often overcast, natural environments became a hallmark of the artist's style, profoundly shaping subsequent European landscape painting.

This important drawing resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a historical work central to the study of 17th-century landscape drawings, reproductions and prints of this piece are often available through public domain resources, aiding scholarly research and appreciation of Ruisdael’s enduring legacy.