Artwork
Resting Cows
Resting Cows is an ink print by the Baroque artist Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Resting Cows is an etching with counterproof created by Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem in 1652. This print showcases the artist's depiction of a serene pastoral scene.
Subject & Meaning
The etching features three cows in various states of rest within a natural setting, emphasizing a tranquil atmosphere. While Berchem often incorporated mythological or biblical elements into his works, *Resting Cows* focuses on everyday pastoral life.
Technique & Style
Berchem employed fine lines to achieve detailed textures, particularly in the cows' fur and shadows, lending them a soft yet substantial appearance. The lighter background, with suggested trees, bushes, and a distant landscape, ensures the cows remain the focal point.
History & Provenance
Created in 1652, *Resting Cows* reflects Berchem's prolific career as a second-generation Dutch Italianate landscape painter. The piece exemplifies the influence of Italianate romanticism on his work.
Context
As part of the Dutch Golden Age, Berchem's work, including *Resting Cows*, was influenced by classical ruins and pastoral scenes, though this piece notably omits the mythological or biblical figures common in his other works.
Legacy
*Resting Cows* contributes to Berchem's legacy as a leading figure in Dutch landscape painting, highlighting his ability to capture serene natural moments through etching.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem (1 October 1620 – 18 February 1683) was a highly esteemed and prolific Dutch Golden Age painter of pastoral landscapes, populated with mythological or biblical figures, but also of a number of allegories and…
