In the landscape behind the subject, Vermeer focused on the right of the painting. Here only the hill with the surrounding plain has been portrayed (a). Especially similar elements are the waterfall and the houses, one above the other (b). The mountaintop fortification has been omitted and the large house to its right is lower down the hill. The two figures in the valley are included (d). They occupy a central position in the small landscape. Projecting this detail of Van Groenewegen's landscape into the gilt frame in Vermeer's painting shows the horizon to be too high. That is why Vermeer lowered the entire composition.