Zomer
1625
Painted when he was just 26, this circular landscape shows Jan van Goyen long before he became famous for his moody, monochromatic Dutch skies. Here, he's still experimenting with vibrant colors and bustling village life, cramming a ruined brick house, a towering tree, a windmill, and a whole crowd of travelers into one perfect circle. You can spot his signature 'J V GOYEN 1625' tucked in the bottom left corner, marking the moment before he revolutionized landscape painting with his signature tonal style. It's like a snapshot of a busy summer day in the 17th-century Netherlands, frozen in time.