Landscape with Canal at Dusk c. 1660 - 1670

Aert van der Neer made this landscape with canal at dusk using oil on wood. Not an unusual medium for the period, of course, but the qualities of the painting are deeply influenced by these material choices. Think of the smooth, reflective surface of the wood panel, which creates a subtle luminosity when coated with translucent oil paint. Consider, too, the way that oil paint allows for layering, one shade modulating into the next. The artist has exploited this quality to create an atmosphere, a sense of deep twilight. Van der Neer was celebrated in his day for precisely this effect, which he achieved through skillful application of thin glazes. In a broader sense, this picture speaks to the growth of cities like Amsterdam. By the 17th century, canals were not only picturesque features, but essential arteries of global trade. Van der Neer was not a wealthy man – he supplemented his artistic practice with innkeeping. He saw the beauty in this everyday scene, and elevated it through his craft.