Who painted The Flock of Sheep?

The Flock of Sheep was painted by Jacob van der Does in 1661.

Where can I see The Flock of Sheep?

The Flock of Sheep is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is The Flock of Sheep?

The Flock of Sheep is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

The Flock of Sheep

Jacob van der Does , 1661

The Flock of Sheep is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob van der Does. It dates from 1661 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Jacob van der Does, a mid‑17th‑century Dutch painter, produced The Flock of Sheep in 1661. Executed in oil, the work presents a tranquil rural landscape populated by grazing sheep and distant figures. The composition is held by Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it exemplifies the quiet, observational quality typical of the period’s landscape art.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas centers on a group of sheep, some reclining, others wandering, set against a gently rolling countryside. In the background, two figures attend to additional livestock near a solitary tree, while a muted mountain range rises beneath a sky broken by light clouds. The scene conveys a serene, everyday agrarian life, emphasizing harmony between humans, animals, and nature.

Technique & Style

Van der Does employs a restrained palette and careful modeling of light to render the texture of wool, creating a subtle contrast between illuminated patches and deeper shadows. This nuanced handling of illumination reflects the chiaroscuro approach favored by Dutch Golden Age artists, lending the figures a palpable three‑dimensional presence within the open landscape.

History & Provenance

Painted during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, The Flock of Sheep entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark’s national gallery, where it remains on display. The museum’s acquisition underscores the artist’s reputation for detailed pastoral scenes and situates the work within a broader European appreciation for Dutch landscape painting of the 17th century.