Meindert Hobbema
When I first saw The Avenue at Middelharnis, I immediately thought of the palm-lined avenues from Hollywood movies. Do you see the resemblance, too? :D
Meindert Hobbema, the Dutch Golden Age artist, presented what was familiar to him—a strikingly symmetrical view down a tree-lined road leading to the village of Middelharnis, located on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee in South Holland, within the Meuse (Maas) delta.
Uncharacteristic of Hobbema’s usual compositions, this work is frontal, meticulously ordered, and topographically precise. The alignment of the alder trees, planted in 1664, suggests the artist faithfully showed a real view. The painting is signed and dated on the reflection in the water at the lower right: “M:hobbema / f 1689”. The "f" is for fecit, Latin for "executed."
Over time, The Avenue at Middelharnis has become one of the most celebrated Dutch landscapes, and by far Hobbema’s most famous painting, especially in the English-speaking world.
P.S. The 17th century brought us some of the greatest masterpieces of Dutch art. How well do you know them? Test your knowledge with our Dutch Golden Age Quiz!
P.P.S. Love beautiful views like this one? Explore more timeless scenes in our Landscapes 50 Postcards Set. Perfect for art lovers who enjoy sending or collecting scenes from art history’s most serene corners.