Who painted Swineherd?

Swineherd was painted by Allart van Everdingen in 1650.

Where can I see Swineherd?

Swineherd is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Swineherd?

Swineherd is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Swineherd?

Museum-quality prints of Swineherd are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Swineherd

Allart van Everdingen , 1650

Swineherd is an ink print by the Baroque artist Allart van Everdingen. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1650, *Swineherd* is an etching by Dutch artist Allart van Everdingen, who worked during the Golden Age. The print portrays a quiet countryside tableau, focusing on a man attending to a herd of pigs. The composition balances foreground activity with a distant landscape, offering a glimpse into everyday rural life of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a swineherd, shown caring for his animals amid a tranquil setting. The inclusion of trees, water, and modest buildings suggests a harmonious relationship between human labor and nature. The work emphasizes the simplicity and steadiness of agrarian work, inviting contemplation of the modest yet essential rhythms of 17th‑century Dutch life.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching, Everdingen employs fine lines to render textures of foliage, water, and architecture. Subtle gradations of tone are achieved through careful manipulation of light and shadow, giving depth to the trees and structures. The overall visual language reflects the Baroque sensibility for atmospheric effects while maintaining the restrained clarity typical of Dutch printmaking.

History & Provenance

Allart van Everdingen, known for both paintings and prints, produced *Swineherd* during a prolific period of his career. The print was likely circulated among collectors of Dutch prints in the mid‑17th century. It has since entered museum and private collections, documented in catalogues of Everdingen’s oeuvre as an example of his skill in landscape etching.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Allart van Everdingen

Allaert van Everdingen (Dutch pronunciation: ; bapt. 18 June 1621 – 8 November 1675 (buried)), was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker in etching and mezzotint.