Shepherds and Flock, 1652
Nicolaes Berchem was a renowned Dutch Golden Age artist, celebrated for his luminous Italianate landscapes populated with herders, travelers, and animals. Born in Haarlem, he was part of the city’s vibrant artistic circle and influenced by Pieter de Molijn and Jan Wils. Berchem’s works are admired for their golden light, graceful figures, and refined composition, and they played a key role in shaping the Arcadian landscape tradition in Dutch art. His paintings are housed in major collections worldwide, including the Rijksmuseum, the Louvre, and the National Gallery in London.