A Shepherd Couple with Cattle near a Shed 1646 - 1672

Adriaen van de Velde's "A Shepherd Couple with Cattle near a Shed" is a brown ink and wash drawing depicting a shepherd couple tending to their flock. The drawing, dated between 1646 and 1672, is considered an example of the Dutch Golden Age and depicts a typical pastoral scene. Van de Velde is renowned for his detailed depictions of animals and landscapes. The drawing is located in the Rijksmuseum, and its intimate scale of 199 mm by 291 mm allows for a close examination of the artist's meticulous brushwork. The drawing's composition, with its focus on the shepherd couple, the cattle, and the surrounding landscape, provides insight into the daily life of rural Dutch society.