(Leiden 1596–1656 The Hague)
The Waal River near Nijmegen
signed and dated at lower left: J. van Goyen 1640,
oil on canvas, 60 x 86 cm, framed

Provenance:
Collection of Milo Talbot, 7th Baron Talbot de Malahide (1912–1973), Malahide Castle, Ireland;
Lady Rose Talbot (1915–2009), Malahide, Tasmania;
sale, Christie’s, London, 12th March 1976, no. 46;
with Brod Gallery, London;
sale, Christie’s, London, 29th June 1979, lot 116;
sale, Koller, Zurich, 11th November 1981, lot 5221;
European Private collection

Literature:
H.-U. Beck, Jan van Goyen, vol. III, Doornspijk, 1987, pp. 182/83, no. 347A

The present painting is an impressive example of the works produced by van Goyen during the 1640s. It illustrates how the painter’s colour scheme developed from a purely tonal palette of golden brown hues to naturalistic colours. The composition is dominated by soft shades of greyish blue, green, and grey. The heavily overcast sky recalls an observation once made by Max J. Friedländer that a view by van Goyen often promises rain, whereas in scenes by van Ruysdael the clouds have retreated, driven off by a fresh breeze.

Provenance:
Collection of Milo Talbot, 7th Baron Talbot de Malahide (1912–1973), Malahide Castle, Ireland;
Lady Rose Talbot (1915–2009), Malahide, Tasmania;
Sale, Christie’s, London, 12 March 1976, no. 46;
with Brod Gallery, London;
sale, Christie’s, London, 29 June 1979, lot 116;
sale, Koller, Zurich, 11 November 1981, lot 5221;
European Private collection

Literature:
H.-U. Beck, Jan van Goyen, vol. III, Doornspijk, 1987, pp. 182/83, no. 347A

The present painting is an impressive example of the works produced by van Goyen during the 1640s. It illustrates how the painter’s colour scheme developed from a purely tonal palette of golden brown hues to naturalistic colours. The composition is dominated by soft shades of greyish blue, green, and grey. The heavily overcast sky recalls an observation once made by Max J. Friedländer that a view by van Goyen often promises rain, whereas in scenes by van Ruysdael the clouds have retreated, driven off by a fresh breeze.