Simon van der Does

Simon van der Does (active 1663-1711) stands as a notable, though often understated, contributor to the rich tradition of Dutch Golden Age landscape painting. His significance is cemented by the presence of his precise drawings and canvases within preeminent international collections, including the Mauritshuis, the Rijksmuseum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His known active period spans nearly five decades, during which he specialized almost exclusively in pastoral scenes and the intimate depiction of rural life.

Van der Does dedicated his output to the depiction of idyllic peasant life, populated invariably by shepherds, shepherdesses, and their flocks. His style is characterized by a focused naturalism, prioritizing the detailed study of animals over dramatic narrative or sweeping scenic grandeur. Works such as Herders with their Flock under a Tree and Landscape with Two Children Playing with a Goat, a Lamb and a Sheep encapsulate this commitment to the tranquility of daily husbandry. His compositions manage to feel both localized to the Dutch environment and universal in their restful mood.

The surviving oeuvre, which consists primarily of detailed drawings alongside a handful of paintings, reveals a rigorous approach to preliminary study. This is evidenced by works like Southern Landscape with Shepherds and Sheep; verso: Study of a Sheep's Head (?), a drawing that illustrates the artist’s commitment to capturing the subtle anatomy of his subjects. It is perhaps this specific, almost obsessive, attention to the varied textures of wool and skin that grants his work its distinct, quiet personality, distinguishing him immediately from contemporaries who sought the drama of rugged wilderness.

While Simon van der Does paintings are relatively rare in the marketplace, the enduring museum-quality of his output ensures his legacy. The meticulous detail and controlled light evident in his known pieces affirm his mastery of the genre. Today, access to the full scope of his surviving drawings and paintings is increasingly facilitated by institutions making high-quality prints available, often within the public domain, allowing enthusiasts and scholars worldwide to study his delicate contribution to 17th-century landscape art.