Liggende får med to lam 1620 - 1683

Curator: Before us is Nicolaes Berchem's etching, "Liggende f\u00e5r med to lam," or "Lying Sheep with Two Lambs," created sometime between 1620 and 1683. Editor: It's so gentle, so still. The texture achieved with just etching is remarkably soft. The curve of the sheep's back, the tucked-in lambs—it speaks of protection and calm. Curator: Berchem was known for his Italianate landscapes, but this simple pastoral scene exemplifies the broader Dutch Golden Age interest in capturing everyday life and the natural world. Editor: It's the seeming ease that belies the technical skill. The cross-hatching and varied line weights suggest depth and volume, turning a simple composition into something visually rich. Look how he contrasts the rough texture of the sheep’s wool with the smoother lines suggesting the land and the quietude it lends to the flock. Curator: And don't overlook the socio-economic implications. The prominence of livestock, especially sheep, reflected the economic importance of animal husbandry in the Dutch Republic at the time. This print was certainly made for an urban market. Editor: It’s curious, isn’t it? How a seemingly innocuous scene like this carries layers of meaning. It's about tranquility, nature, but also, the implied wealth and order that comes with such careful husbandry. Curator: Indeed. The market for these prints also shows the rise of an urban middle class with a taste for art that reflected idealized notions of rural life. An idyllic image detached from reality, if you will. Editor: Yes, detached from reality. These images became potent symbols of rural peace in a rapidly urbanizing world. It's not just an image of sheep. Curator: On reflection, I also found myself quite calmed by the etching; despite the lack of colour, it evokes a sensory awareness that made me ponder about my day. Editor: Agreed. It invites us to see beyond the technique, and to feel a quiet reverence. It truly connects with a profound sense of what we may perceive to be pastoral and calming.