Erasmus Quellinus II (1607-1678), Shepherdess with Lute and Cavalier by a Well

The painting shows a touching encounter between a man and a woman, which the painter has captured accurately in the posture, gestures and facial expression. In a landscape, a richly dressed, blonde shepherdess sits on a stone by a tree on the right with a lute on her lap. She is wearing a yellow silk skirt, a white blouse and a blue coat, with a straw hat with feathers on her head. She greets a gentleman who approaches from the left with a bow and his hat doffed. He has placed his hand on his chest in deference. The cavalier is wearing red trousers and a black velvet jacket with a red sash. His legs are in fashionable boots with spurs. A sheep and a goat stand to the right of the shepherdess, facing her. A detailed painted thistle enlivens the foreground. Oil on canvas, 115 × 160 cm