View of an Idyllic Village

Though this view of a farm seems casual with buildings nestled among the trees, it is carefully composed, proceeding to a distant view of a town at right. Artists of the Romantic school in the Netherlands often rearranged scenes in nature to achieve a specific effect. The artists' skills are seen especially in the reflections in the stream.

The nephew of Hendrikus van de Sande Bakhuyzen, in whose work the Hague School found its origins, Alexander Hieronymus was trained by his uncle. Both were inspired by painters of the 17th century. Where Hendrikus was best known for animal scenes, Alexander preferred scenes of fields and woodlands as here.