Grove of Large Oak Trees at the Edge of a Pond

Researchers can argue splendidly about how much faithful illustration, how much allegory there is in Ruisdael’s paintings: Is the fallen tree merely observed nature? Or does it symbolise with dramatic force the transience of even the mighty? The artist specialised in landscape painting from the very beginning of his career. Yet he hardly travelled at all, preferring to study mainly his native environment. In paintings like this one, he gave the Dutch landscape an impact that others sought in Italy.