A Farrier shoeing an Ass near Ruins

Against a backdrop of ancient ruins and distant mountains, a swirl of activity takes place in the centre of this scene. A donkey, ears pulled back anxiously, looks round at the farrier who is about to strike a new shoe onto the animal’s hoof. Illuminated by a shaft of sunlight, a young woman seated on a brown horse looks down onto the farrier’s efforts. With her outstretched arms, she appears to urge him to make haste so that she might continue with her journey. Also caught in the same beam of light is the luminous white head of a cow, whose steady gaze meets the eye of the viewer – a stoic anchor at the centre of this busy scene.

Though celebrated for his landscapes, the Dutch artist Nicolaes Berchem (1620-83) was the son of a still-life painter, Pieter Claesz (1597-1660). Born in the Dutch city of Haarlem, where he was predominantly active, Berchem was working in Amsterdam by 1677.  Towards the middle of the century, he likely travelled to Italy. There, surrounded by likeminded artists and evocative scenery, Berchem infused his paintings with the rustic charm and golden light of Italy – becoming the principle Dutch painter of Italianate landscapes. This painting is signed by Berchem in the bottom left corner.