Three Cows

Adriaen Van de Velde, a Dutch animal and landscape painter, developed his talent for accurately rendering animals and figures at an early age. As a result, several well-known landscape artists, including Ruisdael, employed him to add figures and animals to their compositions.

Dutch artists Paulus Potter and Nicolaes Berchem greatly influenced Van de Velde’s technique and style from 1653 –1658 when he was painting predominately pastures with cattle and herders.