An inventory of Rembrandt’s possessions was drawn up when he declared bankruptcy in 1656. In it was mentioned a large group of landscape drawings ‘naer ’t leven’ (from life). And, indeed, on the basis of Rembrandt’s sketches we can follow the artist on his walks in the countryside around Amsterdam. The short stakes separating the roadway from the footpath on the Amstelveenseweg are clear to see in this fairly late drawing.