Jacob van Ruisdael
1628 or 1629-1682
Ruined Cottage
ca. 1655
7 7/8 x 10 3/4 inches (200 x 275 mm)
Black chalk and gray wash.
2017.229
Thaw Collection.
Notes
Ruisdael and other artists of his generation were fascinated with ruins--not just of major structures but also of more humble ones like this cottage, which appears to have fallen down as a result of sheer neglect. His short stabs with the brush to create the chaotic grasses in the foreground resonate with the cottage's return to the wild. This drawing likely served as a preparatory study for a painting that is now lost but known through many copies. The three figures were probably added later by another hand. -- Exhibition Label, from "Drawn to Greatness: Master Drawings from the Thaw Collection"
Inscriptions/Markings
Signed with the artist's monogram in point of brush and black ink wash at lower right, "JVR" (ligated).
Watermark: Foolscap with seven-pointed collar, above "4" and three balls. (cf. Heawood 2036, pl. 290).
Watermark: Foolscap with seven-pointed collar, above "4" and three balls. (cf. Heawood 2036, pl. 290).
Associated names
Feitama, Sybrand, active 17th century, former owner.
Feitama, Isaac, former owner.
Feitama, Sybrand, 1694-1755, former owner.
Hoet, Gerard, 1698?-1760, former owner.
Goll van Franckenstein, J. (Johann), 1722-1785, former owner.
Goll van Franckenstein, Johan, 1756-1821, former owner.
Goll van Franckenstein, Pieter Hendrik, 1787-1832, former owner.
Cranenburgh, Hendrick van, 1754-1832, former owner.
Galichon, Emile, former owner.
Galichon, Louis, former owner.
Heseltine, J. P. (John Postle), 1843-1929, former owner.
Reitlinger, Henry Scipio, former owner.
Baer, Curtis O., former owner.
Baer, Yvette, former owner.
Thaw, Eugene Victor, former owner.
Thaw, Clare, former owner.
Feitama, Isaac, former owner.
Feitama, Sybrand, 1694-1755, former owner.
Hoet, Gerard, 1698?-1760, former owner.
Goll van Franckenstein, J. (Johann), 1722-1785, former owner.
Goll van Franckenstein, Johan, 1756-1821, former owner.
Goll van Franckenstein, Pieter Hendrik, 1787-1832, former owner.
Cranenburgh, Hendrick van, 1754-1832, former owner.
Galichon, Emile, former owner.
Galichon, Louis, former owner.
Heseltine, J. P. (John Postle), 1843-1929, former owner.
Reitlinger, Henry Scipio, former owner.
Baer, Curtis O., former owner.
Baer, Yvette, former owner.
Thaw, Eugene Victor, former owner.
Thaw, Clare, former owner.
Bibliography
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, NY, "Drawn to Greatness: Master Drawings from the Thaw Collection", 2017. Exh. cat., no. 346, repr.
The Thaw Collection : Master Drawings and Oil Sketches : Acquisitions since 1994. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 2002, no. 9, repr.
The Thaw Collection : Master Drawings and Oil Sketches : Acquisitions since 1994. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 2002, no. 9, repr.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department