Who painted Cattle by a River?

Cattle by a River was painted by Aelbert Cuyp in 1650-01-01.

Where can I see Cattle by a River?

Cattle by a River is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Cattle by a River?

Cattle by a River is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Cattle by a River

Aelbert Cuyp , 1650

Cattle by a River is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Aelbert Cuyp. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed in oil on panel, the work focuses on the naturalistic representation of these rural elements, characteristic of the landscape genre.

The painting depicts a landscape scene featuring cattle situated near a river, with a sailboat visible in the background. Executed in oil on panel, the work focuses on the naturalistic representation of these rural elements, characteristic of the landscape genre. The composition highlights the interaction between the livestock and the waterway, presenting a tranquil view of the countryside.

While the specific symbolic intent is not detailed in available records, the subject matter emphasizes the pastoral environment and the presence of agricultural life along the riverbank.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in oil on panel, measuring 38 by 55 cm. This medium and support were standard for Dutch Golden Age landscape painting, allowing for the smooth, luminous surface characteristic of Aelbert Cuyp's handling. The artist's technique typically involved warm, golden light effects and atmospheric perspective to unify pastoral scenes.

History & Provenance

Cattle by a River is an oil painting on panel created around 1650 by Aelbert Cuyp. The work measures 38 cm in height and 55 cm in width and belongs to the landscape genre. It is currently held in the Guildhall Art Gallery and the Hermitage Museum, having entered the collection through bequest from Lord Samuel in 1987.

Cattle by a River is held in two collections according to Wikidata, with one painting attributed to the Guildhall Art Gallery and another to the Hermitage Museum. The Guildhall Art Gallery version is catalogued under accession number 3715, an oil on panel measuring 38 by 55 cm. It entered that collection in 1987 through a bequest from Lord Samuel.

No exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.

Overview

Aelbert Cuijps’ oil painting Cattle by a River, executed circa 1650, presents a tranquil riverside tableau. A herd of cows gathers at a shallow bank while distant sailboats drift on calm water beneath a sky dotted with soft clouds. The composition is suffused with warm, golden illumination that unifies the figures and landscape.

Artist & collection

Artist

Aelbert Cuyp

Aelbert Jacobszoon Cuyp or Cuijp (Dutch pronunciation: ; 20 October 1620 – 15 November 1691) was one of the leading Dutch Golden Age painters, producing mainly landscapes.