Jan van Goyen’s masterpiece, “A View of The Hague from the Northwest,” is a testament to the artist’s ability to capture the essence of Dutch cityscapes with remarkable detail and atmospheric effect. Painted in 1647, this oil on wood painting measures 26 x 37 7/8 inches (66 x 96.2 cm) and is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, bequeathed by Rita Markus in 2005.
The painting presents a panoramic view of The Hague, featuring the Late Gothic Grote Kerk, also known as the Jacobskerk, whose choir rises prominently above the nave. This church, along with other significant landmarks such as the two churches of Delft, the Nieuwe Kerk, the Town Hall, and the Oude Kerk, are depicted with such clarity that they could be recognized from afar. Van Goyen’s attention to topography is evident in his inclusion of the Kloosterkerk, the Ridderzaal, the Hofkapel, the Mauritstoren, the Oude Hof, and the Engelse Kerk, among others.
Van Goyen, born in Leiden in 1596 and later moving to The Hague in 1632, was prolific in his depictions of cityscapes, producing approximately one hundred fifty views of cities throughout his career. His oeuvre includes not only paintings of The Hague but also of other cities like Dordrecht, Brussels, Antwerp, and Delft. His works are characterized by their panoramic perspectives and meticulous representation of architectural details.
This particular painting is signed and dated by the artist in the lower center: VGOYEN 1647. It has passed through various hands, including notable galleries and private collections, before finding its permanent home at The Met. The painting has been exhibited multiple times, including at the Mauritshuis in The Hague and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
“A View of The Hague from the Northwest” is not just a visual record of a 17th-century Dutch city; it is a historical document that offers insight into the urban landscape of the time and the artistic mastery of Jan van Goyen. Visitors to The Met can appreciate this work within the context of the museum’s extensive European Paintings collection, which spans works from the thirteenth through the early twentieth century.
