Nicolaes Berchem
Delve into the rich symbolism and masterful brushwork of Berchem's enchanting Italianate landscapes.
The Ferry Boat (1672) by Nicolaes BerchemThe Wallace Collection
Experience the beauty of Berchem's Italianate landscapes. His masterful brushwork and rich symbolism create enchanting scenes.
This scene, set between Rome and Naples, is suffused with mellow light and highlights the slow rhythms of rural life. The background to the left shimmers; there is an ethereal quality to this mauve-tinted landscape.
See how the face of the man dragging the ram has been reworked.
Nicolaes Berchem was a 17th century Dutch painter of romantic, Italian landscapes, often filled with mythological or biblical figures. We do not know whether the artist actually visited Italy, but these sun-drenched scenes were increasingly popular over the course of his career.
The Infant Jupiter with the Nymphs on Mount Ida (1658) by Nicolaes BerchemThe Wallace Collection
Of all of the Wallace Collection’s paintings by Berchem, this one is particularly richly coloured. The background is a vibrant, cornflower blue; usually, colours pale as the landscape recedes but here the colour of the far distance is almost as strong as in the foreground.
Consider the harmonious, sloping postures of both figures and cattle, arranged over the riverbank. The craggy rocks resemble the sheep and goats. Berchem teases us; we’ve just missed seeing the face of the woman in red, who has twirled, the translucent sashes flailing around her.
The baby is Jupiter, King of the Gods in Roman mythology. Rescued by his mother Rhea from his child-eating father Saturn, who feared his offspring would usurp his power, Jupiter is here being brought up by nymphs, fed on wild honey and goats’ milk. He is safe and serenity reigns.
The Musical Shepherdess (1658) by Nicolaes BerchemThe Wallace Collection
The light in this painting is darker and cooler. The figure in bright blue is thus all the more striking. One foot is raised and the other barely touches the ground.
Can you see the dabs of light, for example on the tankard by the basket and the ruffles of the women’s sleeves?
A Southern Harbour Scene (1655/1659) by Nicolaes BerchemThe Wallace Collection
Scanning this scene, we may catch the eye of the seated woman, or an animal also looking out at us. A man near the centre of the picture is painted boldly with his back to us. He leans on a donkey, whose glassy eye hooks us in, as though inviting our sympathy with his heavy load.
The painting is speckled with lively details. Spot the dog cradled by the woman in yellow.
Or the peculiarly painted hands and feet.
The slightly caricatured man standing beside the woman is perhaps a nod to Berchem’s contemporary, Jan Steen, who also painted comic male suitors.
Get up close to Nicolaes Berchem's A Southern Harbour Scene and discover the vibrant details and rich symbolism here.
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