Who painted Italienische Landschaft mit Hirtenszene?

Italienische Landschaft mit Hirtenszene was painted by Jacob van der Does in 1655.

Where can I see Italienische Landschaft mit Hirtenszene?

Italienische Landschaft mit Hirtenszene is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Italienische Landschaft mit Hirtenszene?

Italienische Landschaft mit Hirtenszene is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Italienische Landschaft mit Hirtenszene

Jacob van der Does , 1655

Italienische Landschaft mit Hirtenszene is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob van der Does. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1655 by Dutch painter Jacob van der Does, this oil work presents an Italianate landscape populated by a seated woman and a standing boy. The composition combines figures, livestock and a distant mountainous horizon, producing a quiet, pastoral scene now held by the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures—a woman in a red skirt and white blouse, and a boy in a dark jacket and hat—are positioned amid goats and a dog, suggesting a moment of domestic tranquility. Their relaxed posture and the gentle interaction with the animals convey an idealized vision of rural life.

Technique & Style

Van der Does employs the Italianate tradition popular among Dutch artists of the mid‑17th century, using soft chiaroscuro to model forms and a muted palette that balances warm earth tones with the cool blues of the sky. The rendering of foliage and distant mountains demonstrates his skill in creating depth through atmospheric perspective.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader interest in works that illustrate the cross‑cultural exchange between Dutch and Italian landscape traditions during the Golden Age.

Context

During the 1650s, Dutch painters frequently traveled to Italy or adopted its aesthetic, producing scenes that combined northern realism with southern idealization. Van der Does’s work fits within this trend, offering a serene, imagined Italian countryside that appealed to contemporary collectors seeking both exoticism and familiarity.