Who painted Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten?

Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten was painted by Adriaen van de Velde in 1664.

Where can I see Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten?

Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten?

Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten

Adriaen van de Velde , 1664

Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van de Velde. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Adriaen van de Velde’s 1664 oil painting titled *Landschaft mit Herde und Hirten* presents a quiet rural tableau. Executed in the Dutch Golden Age, the work is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The composition balances figures, livestock, and a natural landscape, inviting contemplation of everyday pastoral life.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre of the scene a young boy kneels at the edge of a pond, his hands immersed in the water. He is surrounded by a cow, a sheep and a dog, while a second cow and a horse appear in the distance. The arrangement suggests a moment of gentle interaction between humans and animals, emphasizing harmony within the countryside.

Technique & Style

Van de Velde employs chiaroscuro to model forms, with a light source entering from the left that creates subtle shadows and a sense of three‑dimensionality. Fine brushwork renders the textures of fur, feathered foliage and the boy’s blue shirt and brown shorts, while the cloudy sky and distant trees provide atmospheric depth.

Provenance

The painting was completed in 1664 and entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. Its documented history traces directly from the artist’s workshop to the Viennese collection, reflecting the museum’s long‑standing interest in Dutch landscape painting.

Artist & collection

Artist

Adriaen van de Velde

Adriaen van de Velde, was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and print artist. His favorite subjects were landscapes with animals and genre scenes. He also painted beaches, dunes, forests, winter scenes, portraits in…