This sheet was traditionally attributed to the Rembrandt pupil Ferdinand Bol (1616-1680) until 1977, when Werner Sumowski was able to demonstrate its relationship to a painting with the same motif by Cornelis Bisschop (Fig.1). Hence, the present drawing is esteemed as the single known preliminary study of this important early work. Bisschop himself ranks as one of the most talented students of Ferdinand Bol and Nicolaes Maes.
In the present ink drawing, executed in a manner just as virtuosic as it is masterly, the artist already lays down all the important patterns of the later painting; his visibly rough line and ever-so-fleeting wash suffice to prepare in faithful detail the figures, as well as the landscape in the background, for the painted composition.