Artwork

Two Sheep, One Pissing

Two Sheep, One Pissing, by Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem, 1652
Two Sheep, One Pissing, by Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem, 1652

Two Sheep, One Pissing is a 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

Two Sheep, One Pissing is a 1652 print by Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem, a Dutch Golden Age artist known for his landscapes.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two sheep in a grassy field, one lifting its leg, capturing a mundane moment with a touch of humor. The scene is set against a backdrop of bushes and trees, rendered in loose, sketchy lines.

Technique & Style

Berchem's work blends naturalistic detail with romanticized rural imagery, characteristic of the Dutch Italianate landscape style. The print's simple, everyday subject matter reflects his interest in genre scenes.

History & Provenance

Berchem was born in 1620 and belonged to the second generation of Dutch Italianate landscape painters, who drew inspiration from Italy's classical ruins and pastoral scenes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem

Artist

Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem

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…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.