_Adrian van de Velde_ (Dutch: 1636-1672).
Adrian, the son of William van de Velde the elder, the marine
painter, first studied under his father, and next under
Wynants, the landscape painter. He showed his talent very
early. "Wynants," said that painter's wife, when the young
Adrian entered his studio, "you have found your master." He
afterwards studied the figure under Wouwerman. His talent was
versatile, for he painted figures, animals, and landscapes with
equal truth and refinement. His large canvases (_e.g._ No. 80
in the Wallace Collection) are hard, and leave the spectator
cold; but his cabinet pictures are refined in outline and
delicate in tone. He was fond of village scenery with cattle
introduced, in which kind are several good examples in our
Gallery. He was also successful in winter scenes. Of his sandy
coast scenes there is a choice example in the Six Collection
at Amsterdam. The value and interest of many pictures by
Ruysdael, Van der Heyden, Hobbema, and other painters of the
time, were enhanced by figures inserted by Adrian. He must have
had wonderful facility and industry, for in addition to these
insertions, and in spite of his short life, the catalogue of
his own pictures includes nearly 200 items.
This picture is signed, and dated 1658. The effect is that of a fine
warm summer afternoon.