Salomon van Ruysdael

1600/3? - 1670

Salomon van Ruysdael was one of the main pioneers, with Jan van Goyen, of naturalistic landscape in the earlier 17th century in Holland. He was the father of the landscape painter Jacob Salomonz. van Ruysdael, and the uncle of Jacob van Ruisdael, the most famous member of the family, whom he taught.

Ruysdael was born in Naarden (in the area known as Gooiland) and became a member of the Haarlem painters' guild in 1623. Like van Goyen, he was influenced by the work of Esaias van de Velde, who had been active in Harlem from 1610 to 1618.

A prolific painter, Ruysdael specialised throughout his life in river and estuary scenes, of which the earliest dated example is of 1626. His earlier paintings, like van Goyen's, are modest in theme and restricted in colour, the later works becoming more elaborate.