#11139 Roelandt Jacobsz Savery (1576-1639)

The composition presents a densely populated landscape teeming with animal life under a dramatic sky. A central grouping features a powerful bull dominating the foreground, its dark coloration contrasting sharply with the lighter tones of a cow positioned slightly behind and to the right. The bulls posture suggests an assertive dominance, while the cow appears more hesitant or perhaps submissive.
To the left, a horse gallops across the scene, its mane and tail flowing in what seems like a forceful wind. A small herd of goats is clustered near the right edge, partially obscured by foliage. Numerous birds fill the sky – some taking flight, others circling – creating a sense of dynamic movement and visual complexity. The ground itself is overgrown with vegetation, suggesting an untamed natural environment.
The artist employed a chiaroscuro technique, utilizing strong contrasts between light and shadow to emphasize the forms of the animals and create depth within the scene. A bright source of illumination appears from behind the central grouping, casting highlights on their fur and feathers while leaving portions of the landscape in relative darkness. This interplay of light and dark contributes to the paintings overall dramatic effect.
Beyond the immediate depiction of animal life, the work seems to explore themes of natural order and hierarchy. The bull’s prominence suggests a symbolic representation of strength or leadership, while the other animals appear to occupy subordinate positions within this ecosystem. The presence of birds in flight could signify freedom, aspiration, or perhaps divine intervention.
The landscape itself, with its dense vegetation and distant suggestion of human settlement on the horizon, hints at a transition between wilderness and civilization. It is possible that the painting intends to convey a commentary on humanitys relationship with nature – a coexistence marked by both dependence and potential conflict. The overall impression is one of abundance, vitality, and an underlying sense of tension within this natural world.