Artwork
River scene by moonlight
River scene by moonlight is an oil painting by Cornelis van der Meulen. It dates from 1677 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
River scene by moonlight is a c. 1677 oil painting by Cornelis van der Meulen, depicting a serene nocturnal riverscape illuminated by a full moon.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a peaceful night scene, with a calm river reflecting moonlight and dark tree silhouettes. Moored boats in the foreground are subtly rendered in the soft, moonlit ambiance, conveying tranquility.
Technique & Style
Van der Meulen employs chiaroscuro to create stark contrast between the bright moon and dark shadows, enhancing the scene's depth and mood. The style reflects his Dutch training and later Swedish court painter experience.
History & Provenance
Created during van der Meulen's time as a court painter in Sweden, the work is now part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection. His practice spanned topographical views, still lifes, and trompe-l'œil.
Context
As a Dutch-trained artist working in Sweden, van der Meulen's work blends traditions. This piece, with its emphasis on light and shadow, situates him within 17th-century European landscape painting developments.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of *River scene by moonlight* are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader appreciation of 17th-century nocturnal landscape painting and the use of chiaroscuro in capturing mood and depth.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis van der Meulen or Cornelis Vermeulen (1642, Dordrecht – 1691, Stockholm), was a Dutch painter who after training in the Dutch Republic had a career in Sweden where he became a court painter.
