Jacob van Ruisdael

Born around 1628 in Haarlem into a family of landscapists, he always spelled his name 'Ruisdael' with an 'i' to distinguish himself from his father Isaack and uncle Salomon.¹

His early works from around 1646 feature simple motifs like dunes and woods, using heavier paint than his predecessors to give foliage a rich, life-like quality.¹

After a trip to Germany in 1650, his landscapes took on a more heroic character, moving beyond simple realism to a more dramatic depiction of nature.¹

Around 1657, he moved to Amsterdam, a prosperous city where he expanded his repertoire to include city panoramas and seascapes for a larger market.¹

Meindert Hobbema was his only registered pupil; Hobbema sometimes painted figures in Ruisdael's landscapes, and their works have occasionally been confused.¹

The myth that he died poor in an almshouse was actually a case of mistaken identity with his cousin; Ruisdael's paintings were highly valued and he lived comfortably.¹