Who painted Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field)?

Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field) was painted by Jacob van Ruisdael in 1655.

Where can I see Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field)?

Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field)?

Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field) is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field)?

Museum-quality prints of Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field)

Jacob van Ruisdael , 1655

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 1655 print, titled Grain Field at the Edge of a Wood (Corn Field), presents a tranquil rural scene rendered in black and white. The composition places a cultivated grain field in the foreground, bordered by a stand of gnarled trees that mark the transition to a forested area, while a sky mottled with delicate clouds stretches overhead.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes cultivated land with untamed woodland, suggesting a balance between human activity and nature’s wild growth. The modest scale of the field and the subdued horizon convey a sense of quiet labor and the passage of time, inviting contemplation of the Dutch countryside’s everyday rhythms in the mid‑seventeenth century.

Technique & Style

Ruisdael employed a combination of etching and dry‑point on a copper plate. The etched lines define the broader forms of the landscape, while the dry‑point scratches add a subtly soft, velvety edge that enriches textures such as grass blades and bark. This dual approach yields crisp outlines alongside a gentle tonal variation characteristic of his printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1655, the print belongs to a period when Ruisdael was establishing his reputation for landscape imagery. Though specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been catalogued among his early prints and appears in several 19th‑century collections of Dutch graphic art, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs of the genre.

Context

The image reflects the Dutch Golden Age’s fascination with realistic depictions of the countryside, a theme that resonated with contemporary audiences attuned to agricultural prosperity. Ruisdael’s focus on ordinary terrain aligns with the era’s broader artistic shift toward naturalism and the documentation of local environments.