Ubbergen Castle

Ubbergen is near Nijmegen in the Province of Gelderland. The castle, which had long been a ruin, was pulled down in 1712. Because of its partial destruction during the Spanish occupation in 1582, the 14th-century castle was seen by the Dutch as a national symbol. Thus Cuyp's luminous depiction of the building may well have evoked patriotic feelings in contemporary viewers.

A signed preparatory drawing (Vienna, Albertina) extends the composition slightly on both sides.