River Landscape with Rocky Cliffs
after 1647
Medium
Pen and brush and washes in tints of brown and gray ink over black chalk; framing line in pen and brown ink probably by the artist.
Dimensions
6 x 9 1/8 in. (15.2 x 23.1 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.808
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the heart of the Dutch Golden Age, Roelant Roghman crafted *River Landscape with Rocky Cliffs* after 1647, capturing the dramatic interplay of water and stone in a compact yet evocative drawing. Measuring just 6 x 9 1/8 inches, this intimate work belongs to the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it exemplifies the meticulous draftsmanship of 17th-century Dutch artists. Roghman, a skilled landscapist influenced by the likes of Rembrandt and the emerging interest in natural topography, rendered rugged cliffs framing a winding river—a motif celebrating the Netherlands' watery terrain. The artwork's medium shines through its layered technique: black chalk underdrawings provide a subtle foundation, enlivened by pen lines, brushwork, and subtle washes in brown and gray inks. This monochromatic palette builds depth and atmosphere, evoking misty light and textured rock faces typical of Dutch landscape studies. The probable artist-added framing line enhances its autonomy as a finished piece, bridging preparatory sketch and standalone gem. Roghman's vision reflects a cultural fascination with the sublime in everyday scenery, inviting viewers to ponder the timeless power of nature. A hidden treasure in the Met's holdings since 1975, it reminds us how 17th-century draftsmen transformed humble paper into portals of exploration.
About the Artist
Roelant Roghman · 1627–1692
Comment on works: Landscapes