To stående får og et lam 1620 - 1683

Nicolaes Berchem created this print of sheep and lamb using etching, sometime in the 17th century. The etching process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy ground, then drawing through it with a needle to expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This labor-intensive process is then repeated to create the final image. Berchem’s etching captures the essence of the pastoral, where the natural world is idealized, but there is a significant amount of work involved in managing livestock and producing wool. With his skilled draftsmanship, Berchem reminds us that this natural world is in fact a product of significant labor. By understanding the physical process of printmaking, and the social context of pastoral imagery, we gain a richer appreciation of the labor involved in creating an artwork. We can also appreciate the amount of work required to bring the raw materials to market that are associated with images of sheep in landscapes.