A detailed pen and ink drawing by Jan van der Meer (II) depicting a river scene with a stone bridge, cattle, and travellers, dated 1704.

This drawing by Jan van der Meer (II) captures a serene river scene, defined by the precise application of pen and ink alongside subtle grey washes. The composition follows the conventions of Dutch topographical art from the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. A stone bridge with multiple arches spans the water, connecting the banks where small figures and livestock are positioned. The artist employs a delicate line quality to delineate the architectural features of the bridge and the distant buildings, while the wash provides depth to the rolling hills and the surface of the river.

The foreground features a group of travellers with cattle, a common motif in Dutch art that provides a sense of scale to the expansive view. The artist balances the structural elements of the man-made bridge against the natural forms of the trees and the distant mountains. The use of light and shadow, achieved through the application of grey wash, creates a sense of atmospheric perspective, drawing the eye from the immediate riverbank toward the horizon. This work reflects the interest in regional geography and the documentation of rural life that occupied many Dutch artists of the period.

Jan van der Meer (II) was active in Haarlem and produced a significant body of work focusing on these types of topographical studies. His technique demonstrates a disciplined approach to draughtsmanship, prioritising clarity and observational detail. The work is signed and dated in the lower right corner, confirming its creation in 1704, shortly before the artist's death. This piece serves as a clear example of the technical proficiency found in the drawings of the era, where the combination of ink and wash allowed for a nuanced representation of light and form without the need for colour.