Drie koeien

c. 1645

Jan Both's influence: light against the sun

Jan Both, just back in Utrecht from Italy, brings a manner developed in contact with Claude Lorrain: the light moves to a diagonal from the back of the picture, facing the sun contre-jour. Cuyp is one of the first Dutch painters to appreciate it, by some scholars' account through personal contact with Both in Utrecht, and in his short Both-inspired phase makes fuller use than any contemporary of the chromatic range of sunsets and sunrises.

1651 or 1652

Death of his father and an inheritance

After the death of his father, Jacob Gerritsz Cuyp, Aelbert inherits a considerable fortune and becomes one of the most respected citizens of Dordrecht. He spends most of his life in the house “Huis Samson” on the Wijnstraat.

1658

Marries Cornelia Bosman

Marries Cornelia Bosman, the wealthy widow of the naval man Johan van den Corput, from a family respected in the city; she already has three children. She is very devout, which is later linked to Cuyp's turn away from painting.

c. 1658 – 1660

Painting almost stops

After his marriage the number of his works falls almost to nothing; his period of activity as a painter is traditionally limited to 1639–1660. The reason is thought to be his wife's piety and his growing church affairs, or perhaps simply that he had no financial worries.

1659

Becomes a deacon of the Reformed congregation

A year after his marriage Cuyp, a devout Calvinist, becomes a deacon of the Reformed church; he will later also serve as an elder, holding important municipal and church offices. Houbraken recalled that no paintings by other artists were found in his house after his death.

15. November 1691

Died