Artwork
A Waterfall (Cascade)
A Waterfall (Cascade) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan van Kessel the Elder. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1670, *A Waterfall (Cascade)* is an oil painting by Jan van Kessel the Elder, a Flemish artist working in Antwerp during the mid‑17th century. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age landscape tradition and is presently part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a cascading waterfall framed by rugged rocks and a solitary tree trunk emerging from the lower left. Beyond the falls, a cloud‑filled sky stretches across the horizon, suggesting a natural, almost paradisiacal setting that reflects van Kessel’s interest in river and garden scenes.
Technique & Style
Van Kessel renders the water with meticulous attention to texture, employing chiaroscuro to model the falling stream and surrounding stones. Contrasting light and shadow generate depth, while the fine detailing of foliage and rock surfaces underscores his realistic approach to landscape.
History & Provenance
Born into a family of painters, van Kessel inherited artistic influences from his grandfather Jan Brueghel the Elder and other Flemish predecessors. *A Waterfall (Cascade)* remained in private hands before entering the Rijksmuseum, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Flemish Baroque holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van Kessel the Elder or Jan van Kessel (I) (baptized 5 April 1626, Antwerp – 17 April 1679, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter active in Antwerp in the mid-17th century.
