A charming 19th-century oil on canvas depicting a Dutch rural scene with a cottage, country track, figures and a distant view.

It’s skilfully rendered and probably after one of the 17th-century Dutch old masters, such as Meindert Hobbema (1638-1709).

The Dutch enjoyed landscape painting during the 17th-century and you’ll often find rural views animated with local peasants chatting or travelling. Painters such Pieter Brueghel the Younger (1564-1638) would fill their scenes with an abundance of characters - each with their own story.

Here we see two older males having a natter while a dog waits patiently by their side. They’re both leaning on walking sticks as they discuss the day’s events.

Above them, a vast sky is thick with rolling clouds, which seems to indicate that rain could be on its way. Huge skies are another characteristic of Dutch landscape painting as The Netherlands is well known for its flat environment.

This is a beautiful piece by well-trained hand.