Waterfall with a Half-Timbered House and Castle c. 1665 - 1670

Editor: Here we have Jacob van Ruisdael's painting, "Waterfall with a Half-Timbered House and Castle." I am struck by how dramatic and wild it feels. What social narratives do you think are embedded in this landscape? Curator: Well, notice how the powerful waterfall dominates the composition, dwarfing the house and even the distant castle. Ruisdael painted during a time of great Dutch prosperity, but also anxieties. Editor: Anxieties? How so? Curator: Think about the Dutch Golden Age: increased wealth, yes, but also dependence on trade and constant battles for independence. Could this overwhelming nature represent the powerful forces shaping Dutch society? Editor: That’s a fascinating way to connect the landscape to the politics of the time! I hadn’t considered that. Curator: Right. It reminds us that art doesn't exist in a vacuum.