It is a pleasant spot, excellent from which to explore.
The author of _Through Noord-Holland_ thus describes Laren, which lies a few miles from Hilversum and is reached by tram: "Surrounded by arable land and hilly heathery it is richly provided with picturesque spots; country-seats, villas, ordinary houses and farms are following one another.

For those who are searching for rest and calmness is this village very recommendable." But to say only that is to omit Laren's principal claim to distinction--its fame as the home of Anton Mauve.
No great painter of nature probably ever adapted less than Mauve.

His pictures, oils and water-colours alike, are the real thing, very true, very beautiful, low-toned, always with a touch of wistfulness and melancholy.

He found his subjects everywhere, and justified them by the sympathy and truth of his exquisite modest art.
Chiefly he painted peasants and cows.

What a spot of red was to Corot, the blue linen jacket of the Dutch peasant was to his disciple.