Herd Crossing a Stream

Artist Nicolaes Berchem Dutch, 1620 - 1683

Dateca. 1650

MediumEtching on laid paper

DimensionsSheet: 10 1/4 x 8 3/16 in. (26 x 20.8 cm)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Buttlar Sparling by their family

Object number2008.20.16

On View

Not on view

Collections

Works on Paper

SignedEtched in the UR of the plate in upper and lower case cursive letters "Berghem fe.", the B has an odd flourish that looks like a small letter c at the upper end of the upright of the letter.

Inscribed"2" engraved in the LR of the plate. "APG 17362" writtten in pencil on the reverse, LR, and "2---" in the LR corner. On the inner mat printed in pencil along the lower 3": "Nicholaes Berchem/ (Haarlem 1620-1683 Amsterdam)/Herd Crossing the Stream [underlined]/ Bartsch 9/Dutuit 9 ii/ii" in the center. "only 2 impressions known[?] of the/first state/Dutuit" LR "Watermark/ [the words "glove and" erased] GB"

MarkingsWatermark of a gauntlet or cuffed glove over "GB" at the upper center, as well as other patterns in the lower half of the paper; scrolls that appear in the area of the center sheep's back and below it's front legs and a double diamond or latticework below the sheep at the left.

DescriptionA male figure astride a horse herding three bovines (all with horns, none with visible udders), a donkey and three sheep at a stream. A female carrying a baby stands in the stream. The herder is wearing a large brimmed hat making his face barely visible. He carries a long staff and has a large, stuffed cloth bag in front of him across the base of the horse's neck. The female stands with her back to the viewer up to her ankles in the water, and hitching her skirt up to keep it dry. She carries the baby in her right arm, it's head looking over her shoulder at the viewer. The animals have very expressive eyes and faces with the donkey opening it's mouth to bray. The adult humans do not engage the viewer, only the baby's face is clearly visible and looks very adult in its seriousness.Exhibition History"Old Master Prints from the Sparling Family Collection", Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, February 28 - May 24, 2009.ProvenanceNew York, NY, C & J Goodfriend (print dealers)
2007, Houston, TX, Tobin Sparling
2008, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust