Description
It is not known if Ruisdael considered his paintings to be social or moral commentary, for no documents from his lifetime indicate how the artist or his patrons interpreted the works. But in this painting dangerous rapids block access to the chapel, and severed logs litter the middleground, hinting at life’s transience and the challenge to reach salvation.
Provenance
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio (1962-); Jane Taft Ingalls [1874-1962], Cleveland, OH, upon her death, held in trust by the estate Estate of Jane Taft Ingalls, by bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1949-1962); (Rosenberg & Stiebel, New York, NY, sold to Jane Taft Ingalls) (1949); Baroness Clarice von Rothschild [1894-1967], widow of Baron Alphonse, New York, NY, sold to Rosenberg & Stiebel (1946-1949); In possession of the Allies, restituted to Clarice von Rothschild, widow of Alphonse1 (1945-1946); In possession of the Nazis; selected by Hitler for the Führermuseum, Linz1 (1938-1945); Baron Alphonse von Rothschild, Vienna [1878-1942], confiscated by the Nazis (Probably 1905-1938); Baron Nathaniel von Rothschild, Vienna [1836-1905], by descent to his nephew, Baron Alphonse von Rothschild (1874-1905); Baron Anselm von Rothschild [1803-1874], Vienna, by descent to his son, Baron Nathaniel von Rothschild (Probably 1873-1874); (Rochebousseau sale, Pillet, Paris, May 5-8, 1873, no. 198, sold to Guénot)1 (1873); Marquis de La Rochebousseau (Until 1873)
Accession Number
1962.256
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
Framed: 100.3 x 83.8 x 10.8 cm (39 1/2 x 33 x 4 1/4 in.); Unframed: 71 x 55.2 cm (27 15/16 x 21 3/4 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
Bequest of Jane Taft Ingalls
