Nicolaes Berchem the Elder
Nicolaes Berchem was so productive that he reportedly worked from dawn until dusk, often while his wife knocked on the ceiling of his studio to ensure he stayed awake. Although he was a primary figure in the Dutch Italianate movement, historians still debate whether he ever travelled to Italy. He was the son of the still-life painter Pieter Claesz, but he chose a different surname to establish an independent identity within the Haarlem art market.
Biography
His artistic style is defined by a warm, southern light that differs from the cool tones of his Dutch contemporaries. He filled his canvases with shepherds and amorous couples placed among ancient ruins. In his etchings, he used the tone of the paper to suggest light-flooded compositions and employed thin horizontal lines for the sky. His compositions frequently use a low viewpoint, which allows the cattle to stand out clearly against the horizon.
Modern collectors are drawn to the sense of tranquillity found in his work. These prints offer a window into a seventeenth-century ideal of the classical world. The combination of natural detail and a golden atmosphere makes his art suitable for many different interior styles. His pastoral scenes remain popular for their ability to bring a feeling of warmth to a room.
Notable Works
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Nicolaes Berchem the Elder prints
Hand-finished archival prints from Nicolaes Berchem the Elder's body of work.
Three Sheep: One Standing to Right of Two Lying Down - Nicolaes Berchem the Elder
From £37.00
Two Sheep: One Standing, One Lying Behind a Rock - Nicolaes Berchem the Elder
From £28.00
Two Goats: One Lying Down, One Standing Seen from Back - Nicolaes Berchem the Elder
From £28.00
Group of Cows - Nicolaes Berchem the Elder
From £28.00
Two Goats: One Grazing, One Standing - Nicolaes Berchem the Elder
From £28.00
The Herd, Crossing the Brook - Nicolaes Berchem the Elder
From £28.00
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What is Nicolaes Berchem the Elder known for?
Nicolaes Berchem the Elder is known for nicolaes Berchem the Elder was a Dutch Golden Age master known for his sun-drenched pastoral scenes and influential Italianate style.