This is a relatively late work by Salomon van Ruysdael, painted in the fluent and assured style of his maturity. Unlike 'A River Landscape with Fishermen' it contains no preparatory underdrawing.
Salomon van Ruysdael, who was active in Haarlem, was influenced by Esaias van de Velde and Jan van Goyen. Works by both artists can be found in the National Gallery's Collection. Salomon's nephew was the famous Dutch landscape painter Jacob Isaacsz. van Ruisdael, whose works are also represented in the Collection.