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In the Netherlands in the seventeenth century a vedette was a mounted sentry usually placed near an outpost – here, two of them are on watch by a stream. Wouwerman captures their watchfulness by turning their backs to us, making them look in opposite directions and leaning them forward as if they are peering into the distance. The man in the red jacket is riding one of Wouwerman’s characteristic white horses, though he is a humbler character than the elegant aristocrat the artist usually showed on such a mount.

Time hasn't been kind to the picture and it’s difficult to tell whether the light that catches the white horse is sun or moonlight. But the scene is tranquil enough to allow a couple to lie on the grass and play with their baby at the feet of the vedettes, though the dog beside them is still watchful.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Two Vedettes on the Watch by a Stream

Date

1650s

Medium

Oil on oak

Measurements

H 31.6 x W 35.7 cm

Accession number

NG1060

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by John Henderson, 1879

Work type

Painting

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

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Artist or maker

Philips Wouwerman

1619–1668

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