RUYSDAEL, Salomon van
(b. ca. 1602, Naarden, d. 1670, Haarlem)

View of the Town of Alkmaar

1645-50
Oil on wood, 51 x 84 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

This picture is one of the earliest views of Alkmaar painted by Salomon van Ruysdael. It combines a view of Alkmaar from the west with an invented river view. In the centre the Late Gothic Grote or Sint Laurenskerk (built 1470-1512) is visible. Alkmaar was a short trip to the north of Haarlem, where the artist lived, and it is possible that he went there a number of times. The Grote Kerk was the burial place of the artist's brother, and Salomon was the guardian of his brother's three daughters.




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