Landscape with Tree on Road to Buildings

"Landscape with Tree on Road to Buildings," possibly by the celebrated master Jacob van Ruisdael Dutch, 1628/29-1682, is a contemplative study dating from the height of the Dutch Golden Age (1648-1682). Although the attribution to Ruisdael is tentative, the drawing exhibits the dramatic atmospheric qualities and attention to naturalistic detail characteristic of the finest landscape artists operating in the Netherlands during the second half of the 17th century. This work focuses on a rugged path leading toward distant buildings, anchored by the dominant form of a large, centrally positioned tree.

Classified specifically as a drawing, the piece was executed using brush and gray wash over an initial graphite sketch on ivory laid paper, which has been further laid down on a second sheet for stability. This layering technique allows for subtle transitions in tone, suggesting depth and the nuanced play of light on the rough terrain. The artist expertly defined the volumetric presence of the solitary tree using heavy washes, which serves as a powerful vertical anchor that contrasts the expansive horizontal lines of the landscape receding toward the clustered buildings in the background. The drawing effectively captures the often turbulent yet familiar appearance of the Dutch countryside.

This sensitive depiction highlights the importance of drawing as a preparatory or compositional study during this prolific artistic period. Works of this nature, whether originating directly from Ruisdael or an affiliated artist, informed the numerous oil paintings and specialized prints that proliferated throughout the Netherlands. Today, this historical drawing resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and like many works from its era, high-quality reproductions often enter the public domain, enhancing its accessibility for research and study worldwide.