Artwork
Resting Herd
Resting Herd 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 Herd is an etching created by Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem in 1652. It is a representative work of the Dutch Golden Age, showcasing the artist's skill in capturing pastoral scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a serene scene of goats and sheep in a grassy field, with some animals standing, lying down, or in motion. The arrangement of the animals and the surrounding landscape, including bare trees, creates a sense of tranquility.
Technique & Style
Berchem employed fine lines to convey the texture and movement of the animals' fur, imbuing the scene with a sense of liveliness. The etching's style is characteristic of the Baroque period, with its emphasis on detail and energy.
History & Provenance
Berchem was a prominent figure in the Dutch Italianate landscape tradition, drawing inspiration from classical ruins and pastoral imagery. Resting Herd reflects his distinctive style, which blended Italianate romanticism with Dutch landscape conventions.
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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…
