River Landscape

Jacob Symonsz Pynas

1646

red chalk

Rijksmuseum

A red chalk drawing depicts a landscape with a river, rolling hills, and scattered figures. Several people are shown near the riverbank, some tending to livestock, while others are in a small boat on the water. Trees and foliage are prominent, with a tent-like structure visible in the middle ground. This is an unusual drawing for Jacob Pynas. It is one of the few compositions devoid of any reference to a biblical or mythological scene. Moreover, Jacob seldom used red chalk. Here, however, he wielded this medium to good advantage, creating an attractive and balanced pastoral landscape.