A Landscape with a View of Dordrecht
- Artist: Willem van Drielenburgh
- Date: probably about 1655-60
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "A Landscape with a View of Dordrecht" painted by Willem van Drielenburgh. Painted in the Dutch tradition, it showcases the town of Dordrecht, identifiable by the grey bulk of the Grote Kerk and the outlines of two of its watergates. The crenellations of the Vuilpoort are in the centre, while the tower of the Groothoofdspoort is on the right.
The emphasis here isn't on the city itself but rather on the agricultural economy that supports it. Notice how our eye is led into the picture by a milkmaid walking back to her farm with two full pails. In the middle ground, three windmills or pumps dominate the scene - essential for grinding corn and preventing flooding in the meadows.
Just over the bank is a small cargo barge, adding to the sense of industry and organisation that underlies this peaceful landscape. Painted around 1655-60, it's an oil on canvas work that perfectly captures the spirit of rural life in the Dutch countryside.
See it in person
A Landscape with a View of Dordrecht hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
