View on the Rhine

Saftleven belonged to a family of artists. Inspired by the works of landscape painters like Poelenburch and Both, whose works are also on display at Dulwich, he began to paint Italianate landscapes. From the 1650’s he found a new source of inspiration in the view of the Rhineland and Moser areas and he turned to painting imaginary views and river landscapes such as this one at Dulwich.

The presence of river barges and boats along the river emphasizes the importance of the Rhine, a navigable river, for the development of internal trade since it facilitated he transportation of goods produced in the countryside and the prosperity of fluvial settlements.