An artwork on Galleree from The Art Institute of Chicago.
About the artwork
Pastoral Scene with a Shepherdess Milking a GoatNicolaes Pietersz. Berchem (Dutch, 1621/22-1683)
1665/70
Netherlands
24.8 × 31.1 cm (9 1/4 × 12 1/4 in.); Framed: 40 × 46.7 × 4.5 cm (15 3/4 × 18 3/8 × 1 3/4 in.)
Oil on panel
Purchased with funds provided by Donald and Carol Asher; gift in part from Scott, Lynda, Jonathan, and Lindsey Canel; and purchased with funds provided by Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan in honor of Marlene Welsh Phillips
['17th Century']
['pastoral', 'peasants', 'shepherds', 'animals', 'donkeys', 'goats', 'landscape', 'man', 'men', 'ruins', 'sheep', 'trees', 'woman']
['oil on panel', 'european painting', 'paint', 'painting']
['oil paint (paint)', 'organic material', 'panel (wood)']
['oil painting', 'painting', 'painting (image making)', 'painting techniques', 'panel painting']
One of the most prolific Dutch landscape painters, Nicolas Pietersz. Berchem executed scenes of the Italian campagna (countryside) for cosmopolitan collectors who appreciated foreign views. Against the muddy palette used for the livestock, Berchem highlighted the shepherdess’s skirt with a vibrant blue, a color that attracts the eye of the viewer and of the young shepherd nearby. Alongside paintings of the flat but fertile Dutch landscape, collectors enjoyed fanciful depictions of Italy for their hilly terrain and playful peasants.
| attributed to Art Institute of Chicago under CC-By license
In the soft glow of dawn, amidst the tranquil whispers of nature, we find ourselves wandering through the enchanting worlds of a remarkable artist, Nicolas Pietersz. Berchem. With the sun painting the skies in hues of hope, Berchem's landscapes transport us to the sun-kissed Italian campagna, a serene countryside alive with the stories of its people.
Picture this: rich, muddy colors swirl beneath the sturdy, earthy tones of sturdy livestock grazing in the foreground. Yet, it’s not just the muted palette that captures our gaze; it’s the vibrant blue of a shepherdess's skirt that steals the scene. This lively blue, radiant as a spring sky, draws not only our eyes but also the attention of a dreamy young shepherd nearby, caught up in the moment's beauty.
Beyond Berchem’s charming portrayals of Dutch farmlands—flat yet lush with life—his works invite cosmopolitan collectors into a fanciful escape. They marveled at the playful peasants and the undulating hills of Italy, appreciating the refreshing variety that washed over their sensibilities like a gentle breeze.
In each brushstroke, Berchem crafted not just landscapes, but a dialogue between the viewer and the land, igniting a deep, resonant appreciation for distant vistas that felt both foreign and familiar, urging us to lose ourselves in their stories.
About the artist
Welcome to the Art Institute of Chicago, home to a collection of art that spans centuries and the globe—and one of Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” US attractions of 2023. We look forward to your visit and invite you to explore our many exhibitions and to join us for one of our free daily tours in-person.The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from The Institute's Open Access dataset under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 111 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL, USA 60603
The best place to view The Art Institute of Chicago‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.