Jan van Goyen entered the history of Dutch art as an outstanding landscape painter. In addition, he is known as the master of etching and draftsman. The artist was born in Leiden, studied at I. van de Velde in Haarlem, traveled a lot, was in France, Germany, Flanders, worked in Leiden and Haarlem, the last few decades of his life spent in The Hague.
During his wanderings, Goyen observed nature, sketched, painted landscapes. In these small landscapes with a low horizon and a rebellious sky over the plains and deep rivers or sea dales painted in a soft, almost monochrome color, the artist created a generalized image of Holland. His works, calm and lyrical, convey the serene mood of a man, imbued with the greatness of nature. Typical for J. van Goyen is the painting “Sea at Haarlem”, executed in a manner characteristic for the artist.
Other well-known works: “River mouth with fishermen”. Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest; “Dunes”. 1629. State museums, Berlin; “Haymaking”. 1630. The Pushkin Museum. A. S. Pushkin, Moscow; “Skaters”. 1641. The Hermitage, St. Petersburg; “View of the river Baal near Naimeten.” 1631. The Pushkin Museum. A. S. Pushkin, Moscow.
