During the Dutch Golden Age, Karel du Jardin, an acclaimed Italianate painter, crafted this oil on copper between 1658 and 1660. It vividly portrays a sun-drenched Italian inn courtyard, where muleteers and their heavily laden animals have paused for a much-needed rest. The scene is imbued with the warmth of the Mediterranean, as locals seek refuge from the heat in the shade, a small donkey even huddling under larger beasts. Two empty raffia-covered fiaschi hanging above the door further transport the viewer to the south. This evocative piece would lend a charming, rustic elegance to a living room or a kitchen area.