An unusual self portrait by the artist Hendrik van de Sande Bakhuyzen. He has pictured himself in a meadow full of cows and sheep. On the right the field is bordered by a wood, while in the distance a river flows past with boats reflected in the water. The artist is seated on a tree trunk wearing his best suit, with his painter's case on his knee. He is busily painting the large mottled cow in front of him - and glances towards the viewer who seems to look over his shoulder towards the animal. In this painting Van de Sande Bakhuyzen is explaining who he is: a painter of country scenes. In the foreground he has signed his initials in his top hat: vd S B.^[3]