Shepherds and peasants are shown bathed in a warm golden light in this mature example of Cuyp's Italianate landscape style. The painting is notable for its broad and skilful execution. It is probably one of his last: in 1658, Cuyp married Cornelia Boschman, a wealthy widow with extensive property around Dordrecht, and he seems to have retired from painting soon afterwards. Cuyp's remarkable popularity in Britain began in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. By the time that the market for his works peaked, around 1870, about 75% of all known Cuyps were in British collections. His influence on British artists from Gainsborough to Constable was profound.
