Meindert HOBBEMA
Dutch 1638-1709
The old oak
1662
oil on canvas
101.0 x 144.0 cm
Felton Bequest 1950
2252-4

Hobbema worked as an apprentice to Jacob van Ruisdael and this painting reflects the 24 year old Hobbema's debt to his master. The painting is of a particular landscape which both artists depicted, Ruisdael making an earlier print (The Travellers c. 1665) which clearly inspired Hobbema.
However, this painting is not a straight copy of Ruisdaelšs print, but a variant of the scene. Ruisdaelšs print is a much darker and eerily dramatic portrayal than is this painting. Interestingly, this comparison typifies the approaches of the two artists as Hobbema usually painted brighter and quite gentle landscapes compared with the more brooding and dramatic works of van Ruisdael.