Jacob van Ruisdael's father, Isaack and his uncle Salomon were both artists, and they probably gave him his first painting lessons. Father and uncle spelt their surname 'Ruysdael', while Jacob used 'Ruisdael'. His early landscape paintings also show the influence of the landscape painter Cornelis Vroom, who was also active in Haarlem.
Between 1646 and 1656, Jacob made several trips through the Netherlands. His landscapes became increasingly rougher, with fir trees, stormy skies and pine woods. He also got much of his inspiration from foreign countries. He travelled, for example, to the German-Dutch border area, Bentheim. Elements of the Bentheim landscape can be found is several of his paintings.
In 1656, Ruisdael settled in Amsterdam, where he gave lessons to various people, including Meindert Hobbema.
Jacob Salomonsz. van Ruysdael
Haarlem 1629/1630 - Haarlem 1681
