Landschap met vee en een melkmeid 1644

Jan van Noordt created this landscape with cattle and a milkmaid using etching, likely in the mid-17th century. The etching presents a pastoral scene filled with an array of animals: cows, goats, and sheep, rendered with precise lines that define their forms. The composition is arranged on a small hill with a large tree on the left that anchors the scene and creates a backdrop. Van Noordt's technique emphasizes line and form, creating a textured surface through the density and direction of the etched lines. The varying shades achieved through hatching give volume and depth to the animals. The strategic placement of these animals, some standing and some resting, animates the pastoral scene while emphasizing the relationship between nature and agriculture. The structure provides a view that feels both intimate and expansive, inviting contemplation on the natural harmony of rural life. Consider how the manipulation of line in this etching not only depicts the scene but also evokes a sense of the quietude inherent in rural landscapes. It reflects the period’s artistic and philosophical interest in nature as a space of both productivity and peace.