View on the Rhine

In this far-reaching view, the Dutch painter Guillam Dubois (1623/25-80) brings together a host of compositional devices to create this landscape. Bands of colour give a sense of distance, an effect known as ‘atmospheric perspective’. The cool grey cloudscape contrasts with the warmth of the rich, autumnal hues in the woodland below. The graded green tones of the distant hills are up lit by the strip of bright water, a stark contrast to the dark recesses of the woodland on the opposite bank. In the detailed foreground, a group of figures provides a narrative thread, weaving through the landscape and around the artfully placed hillock. As if to complete the compositional checklist, a castle takes centre stage, its walls peppered with tiny windows.

Dubois travelled through Germany with fellow artists in 1652-3, possibly recording this view of the Rhine. The castle has not been identified and may be a creative addition based on sketches that the artist made during his trip. The influence of Dutch Golden Age landscape painter Jacob van Ruisdael (1629-82) can be seen in Dubois’ work, where rich colours and a detailed foreground are countered by distant views of rivers and mountains.