As a painted depiction of Fortuna as Zeus this work is unique, and its little-known source in a classical text likely reflects the interest of a learned patron residing in Amsterdam or Haarlem. The commision may have been to evoke the ancient Greek worldview as recast in neo-Stoic philosophy of the 17th century, or perhaps simply to illustrate, allegorically, the great risks endured by the many Dutch citizens active in the sea trade. The small-scale figures are set against a rugged landscape. With its lively variation and division of space, soft textures and glowing light, the picture recalls the work of the Italianate landscapist Jan Wijnants. The leaning trees, winding track and division of the image into high and low levels are also characteristic of this artist’s approach. Moreover, a key connection can be made between the old traveller on the left and a man shown greeting travellers in the signed and dated work by Wijnants entitled A Landscape with Riders and a Stone House (1664). Their distinctive heads are nearly identical. However, the unsure handling seen here cannot compare to the refinement typical of Wijnants.