Moonlit Landscape with a View of the New Amstel River and Castle Kostverloren

Aert van der Neer’s Moonlit Landscape with a View of the New Amstel River and Castle Kostverloren is a quintessential example of the 17th-century Dutch commitment to painting specific, atmospheric effects.

Van der Neer was one of the first painters to specialize almost exclusively in depicting moonlit or twilight scenes. The painting is characterized by its intense contrast between the glowing moonlight and the deep shadows, which creates a quiet, mysterious mood. The scene is historically accurate, featuring the Amstel River and the ruins of Castle Kostverloren, a landmark that often symbolized the transient nature of earthly existence.

The context of the work lies in its celebration of the Dutch landscape and the subtle beauty of night, making the vast, cloud-filled sky and the shimmering water the true subjects. The small figures and the distant town lights emphasize the stillness and the poetic harmony between man and nature.