Jan van Goyen travelled the length and breadth of the Netherlands recording details of landscape and topography in black chalk. A small sketchbook tucked into his pocket, the draughtsman in search of inspiration could quickly delineate sand dunes and architectural structures in the vicinity of his hometown or on extended journeys to France or Germany. Back in his studio, the sketches would provide endless creativity, combining different motifs into realistic or imaginary landscape compositions. These drawings not only functioned as preliminary studies for motifs in paintings, Van Goyen at times also reworked them into larger, more finished drawings, typically monogrammed and dated, intended for sale. Never attempting to depict accurate views, Van Goyen’s preliminary studies unfold as topographical elements in his scenery.