Artwork

A Tavern by a River

A Tavern by a River, by Jan van Goyen, chalk, 1640
A Tavern by a River, by Jan van Goyen, chalk, 1640

A Tavern by a River is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Jan van Goyen. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

A Tavern by a River is a 1640 drawing by Jan van Goyen, a Dutch landscape painter. Created with black chalk and gray wash on laid paper, it exemplifies his characteristic depiction of everyday scenes along waterways.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing shows a serene tavern scene by a river, with a prominent tavern structure and a small boat in the foreground, evoking a tranquil atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Van Goyen's use of black chalk and gray wash achieves a sense of depth and texture, while his skillful shading and lighting enhance the scene's ambiance.

History & Provenance

This work is part of Van Goyen's extensive output, which includes over twelve hundred paintings and more than one thousand drawings, showcasing his prolific career as a landscape painter.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jan van Goyen

Artist

Jan van Goyen

Jan Josephszoon van Goyen (Dutch pronunciation: ; 13 January 1596 – 27 April 1656) was a Dutch landscape painter.

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