Jan Both landscapes of this type are considered to date from the artist’s Utrecht period although there are no securely dated works from this time. Usually the atmosphere produces a warm or cool effect, suggesting a morning or evening time – in this case evening. The figures are likely to have been added by Both himself – in a number of instances these are by his Utrecht contemporary Cornelis van Poelenburgh (q.v.).  In 1648, Poelenburgh painted Jan Both’s portrait (Herdringen, Kasteel).  Pictures of this type by Jan Both were especially esteemed by 19th century collectors and, surprisingly to current taste, he was regarded as an equal to Claude Lorraine (q.v.), represented here by a drawing.

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