This painting of a hawking party by Adriaen van de Velde (1636-72) suggests the modern, elegant and somewhat affected gentlemen and ladies of Jacob Ochterveld and Eglon van der Neer. A splendid lady rides side-saddle, with plumed hat, golden dress and sky-blue caparison; a group of huntsmen, with their guns, dogs and loop of hawks, seem to lead her in a triumphal procession. With her attentive husband in the foreground and her page boy in attendance, she appears as if a chatelaine from romance, like one of those heading out to hunt in the Très Riches Heures of the duc de Berry of two-and-a half centuries earlier.

Signed and dated lower left corner: 'A.V. Velde f/1666'

Text adapted from Dutch Landscapes, London, 2010