2061

In this picturesque landscape painting from 1660, a small group of cows is being led along a flooded path. At their front are three horsemen dragging two captured peasants – the herd taken from them is held together by two other soldiers. As a historical document, the scene highlights social problems of its time: though it appears idyllic at first glance, its theme has prompted the work to be recorded as a depiction of a “raid” in the past. Another comparable work by Ruysdael shows "Cows at the Drinking Trough" herded by soldiers and is dated 1656. (cf. Stechow 1975, no. 123A)

One of the animals has bent its head to drink from the pool. The water itself reflects the rays of light from the sky streaked with sun and clouds and skilfully mirrors the silhouettes of the animals passing by. Another cattle train led by two riders can be recognised in the left middle ground. The trees lining the path provide a view of a large village church with a square tower in the background – the location was identified in the 1770 catalogue as the present-day town of Wassenaar. Set against the characteristically low horizon, the landscape shows the stylistic development of Salomon van Ruysdael's late work: in contrast to the tonal painting of the 1630s, he began to use more contrasting colours and to fill the pictorial space with more expressive elements. For example, the sky is depicted in richer and deeper shades of blue, with voluminous elements such as trees sculpting the middle and foreground of the composition. His brushstrokes also became broader and rougher, giving the late paintings a more dramatic, soulful character.