Artwork

A hunting party near the Hofvijver and Binnenhof in The Hague, seen from the South

A hunting party near the Hofvijver and Binnenhof in The Hague, seen from the South, by Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde, oil, 1696
A hunting party near the Hofvijver and Binnenhof in The Hague, seen from the South, by Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde, oil, 1696

A hunting party near the Hofvijver and Binnenhof in The Hague, seen from the South is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.

About this work

Overview

Completed in 1696 by Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde, this oil on canvas presents a southern viewpoint of The Hague’s Hofvijver and the Binnenhof complex.

Completed in 1696 by Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde, this oil on canvas presents a southern viewpoint of The Hague’s Hofvijver and the Binnenhof complex. The composition centers on a hunting party on horseback moving along a cobbled street, framed by the light‑brown façade of a large, windowed building with a blue tiled roof. The scene extends toward the water, where trees and distant structures complete the urban landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of aristocratic leisure set against the civic architecture of The Hague. The riders, dressed in period attire, suggest a formal hunt, while the surrounding cityscape underscores the integration of courtly activity within the public sphere. The juxtaposition of movement—horses in varied poses—and the stillness of the architectural elements conveys a balanced narrative of activity and order.

Technique & Style

Berckheyde employs a precise, almost photographic handling of architectural detail, rendering brickwork, window arrangements, and roof tiles with meticulous care. The palette combines muted earth tones for the buildings with brighter accents in the clothing and horses, creating depth through subtle chiaroscuro. Fine brushwork delineates the cobblestones and water surface, while broader strokes suggest the foliage across the pond, reflecting the artist’s mastery of Dutch cityscape conventions.

History & Provenance

After its creation in the late seventeenth century, the painting entered the collection of the Mauritshuis, where it remains on display. The museum’s acquisition aligns with its focus on Dutch Golden Age works, providing a visual record of The Hague’s urban environment during Berckheyde’s career, which spanned Haarlem, Amsterdam, and The Hague.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde

Artist

Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde

Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde (1638 – 10 June 1698) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, active in Haarlem, Amsterdam, and The Hague, who is best known today for his cityscapes.

Mauritshuis

Museum

Mauritshuis

Continue through works from the same source collection.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Mauritshuis open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.