Sebald is best known for his use of photographs, which punctuate his books at many junctures. He also reproduces maps and other kinds of images. Occasionally, he places art works in his books--and sometimes he refrains from doing so even when he describes an art work in the text. Here are two art works that appear in The Rings of Saturn, and one art work that is discussed there but not reproduced. He criticizes the Rembrandt for what he regards as an error of representation, but tries to salvage it by means of a reading that goes somewhat against the grain. He also takes issue with the van de Velde painting, but says he admires the Ruisdael. Why do you think he doesn't reproduce an actual image of the painting he likes best?

Complicating this question is the fact that there are actually two versions of Ruisdael's "View of Haarlem with the Bleaching Fields." One (the earlier version of ca. 1665) is better known than the other (ca. 1670). In fact, the later version is the one he must have seen in the Mauritshuis mueseum in The Hague. What's striking about this version is that it is darker and more ominous-looking than he lets on: just take a look at the clouds.