Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691) was the most famous member of a family of Dutch artists based in Dordrecht. Although an exceptionally versatile figure among Dutch painters, he concentrated on the landscapes for which he is best remembered. As a result of his explorations of the rivers of eastern Holland and of Westphalia, he produced many serene pastoral scenes. The golden light that he so often employed was inspired by compatriots who had visited Italy, such as Jan Both, and suggests comparison with that used by Claude. Almost forgotten for two generations, his work was rediscovered by British collectors and artists. It was praised by John Constable, and emulated by Turner. Ruskin was familiar with what is possibly the finest collection of Cuyp's paintings, that of Dulwich Gallery. (For his opinion of those paintings, see Ruskin on Cuyp.)