Jan Adam Zandleven was born in 1923 in Koog aan de Zaan, the son of a manufacturer and merchant. After working in his father's business for a while, he chose painting in 1902 on the advice of Jozef Israëls and PJC Gabriël, much against his father's wishes. His encounter with art educator HP Bremmer was also instrumental in this radical decision. Bremmer praised his work, advised him, and supported him financially. From 1904 onward, Zandleven moved several times, but the Veluwe in Gelderland was his favorite. He preferred to retreat to the woods, alone or with his friend Jan Carbaat, for inspiration and to create paintings, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Zandleven never had a teacher and can therefore be called self-taught. He primarily painted landscapes and still lifes but also created farm interiors and village scenes. The Impressionist influence of Vincent van Gogh is clearly visible. His style is characterized by a broad pointillist application, with small, thick dots of paint and bright colors. The painting in the "De Witte Zwaan" collection is a beautiful example of this.