Adriaen van de Velde, often mistaken for Adriaen van Everdingen due to the similarity in names, was a Dutch Golden Age artist known for his skill in a variety of subjects, including landscape, genre, and animal painting. Born in Amsterdam in 1621, he was part of an artistic family; his father Willem van de Velde the Elder and brother Willem van de Velde the Younger were both notable marine painters. Adriaen initially trained under his father and later studied with the landscape painter Jan Wijnants.
Adriaen van de Velde's landscapes were exceptionally refined and often depicted calm pastoral scenes that included animals and small figures, showcasing his attention to detail and his ability to render nature in a serene and harmonious manner. He also painted beach scenes and winter landscapes that are highly valued for their subtle treatment of light and atmosphere.
In addition to landscapes, Adriaen produced a number of genre scenes, which depicted the daily life of Dutch peasantry with warmth and sensitivity. His figures are carefully placed and contribute to the narrative quality of his work. He was also known for his ability as an animalier, a painter of animals, and his livestock are rendered with particular care and realism.
Despite his relatively short life, Adriaen van de Velde left behind a significant body of work that was influential in his time and is still appreciated today for its delicacy and technical mastery. He died prematurely at the age of 35 in Amsterdam. His work was highly sought after in his lifetime and continues to be held in high regard, with his paintings featured in major museums and collections around the world.