A pastoral scene by Cornelis Saftleven featuring a shepherd, livestock, and fowl in a tranquil, earthy-toned landscape. The painting showcases the artist's attention to detail and narrative quality.

Cornelis Saftleven (1607-1681) was a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, and animal paintings. He was born in Gorinchem and spent much of his career in Rotterdam. Saftleven's style blends elements of realism with a touch of whimsy, often depicting peasants, animals, and everyday life with a keen eye for detail. His work is characterised by its earthy tones, careful rendering of textures, and narrative quality. Saftleven's paintings are held in numerous museum collections. This painting presents a pastoral scene with a shepherd, livestock, and fowl. The composition is divided into distinct planes, with a foreground featuring ducks and chickens near a body of water. A shepherd sits on a small rise in the middle ground, accompanied by cattle and a dog. The background fades into a soft, cloudy sky. The colour palette is dominated by browns, greens, and muted blues, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The artist's attention to detail is evident in the rendering of the animals' fur and feathers, as well as the textures of the landscape.