A young couple with goats and sheep in an Italianate landscape

Weenix's early career is characterized by his elegant compositions conceived in the style of the Dutch Italianate landscapists, in particular that of his father, the painter Jan Baptist Weenix. This picture, signed and dated 1662, is firmly rooted in this tradition. Although many of his compositions executed before 1680 were influenced by his father, Jan's figures are generally clothed in elegant costume and are more refined and detailed.