Sandy Track in the Dunes c. 1650 - 1655

Jacob van Ruisdael's "Sandy Track in the Dunes" is a quintessential example of the Dutch Golden Age landscape painting. Painted around 1650-1655, the artwork captures the beauty of the Dutch countryside with its characteristic winding path, dense foliage, and a stream winding its way through the scene. The small figures in the distance add a sense of scale to the landscape, while the cloudy sky suggests an atmospheric, melancholic mood. This painting showcases Ruisdael’s mastery of light and detail, as seen in the textured brushstrokes and the subtle variations in color.