Italianate Mountain Landscape with Herders and Cattle, and Two Figures in a Boat Crossing the River c. 1687 - 1689

Hendrik van der Straaten’s “Italianate Mountain Landscape with Herders and Cattle, and Two Figures in a Boat Crossing the River” is a graphite drawing created between 1687 and 1689. The drawing depicts a mountainous landscape with a river in the foreground, a bridge, and a series of buildings set against a rocky cliff. Herders with cattle and two figures in a boat are depicted in the foreground, illustrating the pastoral nature of the scene. The drawing is a study of Italianate landscape and its features, such as mountainous terrain, ancient structures, and picturesque scenes of everyday life. It's a beautiful example of van der Straaten’s interest in the natural world and his ability to capture the beauty of the Italian landscape.