Early Life and Training

Meindert Lubbertszoon Hobbema, a prominent Dutch Golden Age painter, was born in Amsterdam in 1638. Baptized on October 31, 1638, Hobbema's early life is marked by a brief period in an orphanage from 1653. However, by 1655, he had left the orphanage and begun his artistic training under the guidance of Jacob van Ruisdael, a leading Amsterdam landscapist.

Artistic Career and Style

Hobbema's artistic career, spanning over four decades, is characterized by his specialization in woodland landscapes. His paintings, often featuring sun-dappled forests, rustic water mills, and tree-lined roads, are quintessential representations of the Dutch Golden Age's bucolic scenes.

• The Avenue at Middelharnis (1689, National Gallery, London), a masterpiece from this period, showcases Hobbema's skill in capturing the serenity of the Dutch countryside.
• Other notable works include Cottages in a Forest (Mauritshuis, The Hague) and Woodland Landscape with a Water Mill (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam).

Later Life and Legacy

In 1668, Hobbema took on the role of an inspector of imported wines in Amsterdam, a position that allowed him to continue painting, albeit at a slower pace. Despite his relatively unknown status during his lifetime, Hobbema's influence on later artists, such as John Constable, is undeniable. Today, Hobbema's works are held in the collections of various museums, including:

• Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery (The Hague)
• Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam)
• National Gallery (London)

Explore more of Hobbema's artwork on WahooArt.com:

• Meindert Lubbertszoon Hobbema | 3 Artworks
• The Museum Huis ten Bosch (The Hague, Netherlands) - A Comprehensive Guide

References:

• Britannica: Meindert Hobbema
• WahooArt.com: Meindert Lubbertszoon Hobbema