Wide River Landscape 1648 - 1649

Philips Koninck painted this wide river landscape on wood panel sometime in the mid-17th century. The painting encapsulates the immense pride that the Dutch took in their landscape. During the 1600s, the Netherlands experienced unprecedented economic growth and social mobility. As a result, for the first time, artists were producing work for a broad market, not just for the church or aristocracy. Rather than grand historical allegories, middle class patrons were interested in scenes from everyday life. This painting is not topographical, but a constructed image. Koninck presents an idealized view of the Netherlands, showcasing it as industrious, abundant, and prosperous. The dark clouds might even allude to the recently cast-off Spanish rule. The historian considers the way that art is embedded in society. The art of this period, its popularity and subject matter, reflects the social, political and economic conditions of the Dutch Golden Age.