The Dutch landscapist Jacob van Ruisdael painted many types of landscape, including numerous woodland scenes. In this comparatively open example a drover pauses as his animals cross a river; beyond the bridge, a flock of sheep graze a meadow. In contrast to Claude Lorrain, and the classical landscape tradition, the path and the river are blocked off and the viewer is not encouraged to travel imaginatively into the distance.
The animals and figures were probably painted by Adriaen van de Velde (1636-1672) who often collaborated with landscape artists.
Inscriptions / Translations: Signed I.r.: JvR [in monogram]
Notes: Exhibited: 'Dutch Landscape Painting', Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, UK, 1983, no. 37; 'Birth of a Collection: Masterpieces from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts', National Gallery, London, UK, 22 May 2013 - 01 September 2013
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