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Jacob Van Ruisdael: Master of Landscape

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There is really only one word that describes this historically significant painter AND this extensive volume about his contribution to landscape painting and that word is 'Stunning'. For those who do not readily recognize the name of van Ruisdael, that fact may be due to the media's attention to only certain controversial painters. Jacob van Ruisdael lived from 1628 to 1682 and both in his time and in the years subsequent his mastery of the fine art of landscape painting is considered by many art historians to be without rival.

The Dutch painter van Ruisdael not only painted vistas of landscapes in the raw, he also found majesty in villages, cities and rural scenes, seascapes, beaches, and the many rivers and bridges that seduced his sensitive eye: his numerous paintings reveal a wealth of closely observed naturalistic detail. Author Seymour Slive was Professor of Fine Arts and director of the Harvard University art museums and his depth of knowledge of not only van Ruisdael but also of the other Dutch painters of this time gives him a depth of knowledge and grace of writing that makes this truly a book to not only enjoy visually but to read as well.

This book coupled with Slive's other volume 'Jacob Van Ruisdael: A Complete Catalogue of His Paintings, Drawings, and Etchings' are the definitive tomes about Dutch landscape painting. Though this book was intended as a catalogue to the traveling exhibition of van Ruisdael's paintings and drawings, it is truly the preeminent text for the libraries of all art lovers. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05