Pieter de Molijn (London 1595-1661 Haarlem)

Pieter de Molijn painted scenes, between 1625 and 1631, such as Brigands attacking a caravan, before his adoption of the muted palette and simplified compositions characteristic of the 'tonal' phase of Dutch landscape painting. During these years he painted cavalry battles, ambushes on innocent travellers like that taking place in this painting, and specific events such as Prince Maurits and Prince Frederick Hendrick going to the chase (1626; National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin).

In an era before the establishment of a professional police force and in which the local sheriffs (called 'baljuwen') were known primarily for their easy acceptance of bribes, citizens were concerned about safety both in the Dutch Republic's cities and on the highways that connected them.