Artwork
Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field)
Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacob van Ruisdael. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jacob van Ruisdael’s print titled *Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood* (also known as *Corn Field*) was produced in 1655. Executed as an etching with drypoint accents, the work presents a tranquil rural scene in which a cultivated field meets a bordering forest. The composition is anchored by a prominent tree in the foreground, while a sky mottled with clouds stretches overhead.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a cultivated grain field edged by a woodland, suggesting the coexistence of agriculture and nature typical of the Dutch Golden Age landscape. The solitary, towering tree and the scattered trees within the field draw the eye toward the horizon, evoking a sense of quiet labor and the passage of seasons without overt narrative.
Technique & Style
Ruisdael combined traditional etching with drypoint, allowing him to render fine lines alongside richer, burr‑produced strokes. This dual approach creates varied textures: delicate hatching defines distant foliage, while the deeper, velvety lines of drypoint give weight to the foreground tree and the clouded sky. The contrast of light and shadow enhances spatial depth and atmospheric mood.
History & Provenance
The 1655 print belongs to Ruisdael’s early output, a period when he was establishing his reputation for realistic landscapes. While specific ownership records for this particular impression are limited, the work has been catalogued among his etchings and appears in several museum collections that document Dutch printmaking of the mid‑17th century.
Artist & collection
