River with Town

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel (editor) and Bernhard Schreuder (printmaker), after Pieter Coopse

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a view from slightly above the water level, looking across a calm body of water towards a shoreline in the distance. The horizon line is positioned in the center, separating the water from the sky. On the horizon, several buildings and a church steeple can be seen. The brushstrokes are delicate and linear, with fine lines used to depict the forms of the boats and reflections in the water. The color palette is muted and monochromatic with soft shades of gray and beige. Closest to us is a small boat with a single figure wearing a blue garment, and to the left, a couple of larger sailing boats are anchored. Both sky and water are rendered in soft washes.