Æsel og geder 1620 - 1683

Curator: What a find. We’re looking at an etching entitled “Aesel og geder,” or “Donkey and Goats,” crafted by Nicolaes Berchem sometime between 1620 and 1683. Editor: My first thought? Mellow. Everyone in this picture seems to be having a seriously chill day. The sheep are practically melting into the ground. Curator: Berchem, a Dutch Golden Age master, was fascinated by the idealized pastoral life. It’s not just sheep and goats, though, is it? The donkey holds a peculiar significance. Editor: That donkey *is* front and center. To me, it’s kind of a humble hero in the composition. Like it's saying, “Yeah, this is my crew. What about it?” Curator: Absolutely! The donkey often appears in religious iconography symbolizing humility and service, think of Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Berchem blends this with the then-fashionable genre of paintings of everyday life. This idyllic scene almost certainly conveys some moralizing undertone. Editor: Moralizing, huh? Maybe it’s about the simple life, the virtue of tending to your flock... Or maybe Berchem just really liked drawing cute animals lounging around! The cupid there seems like an almost satirical mythological intrusion. Curator: Considering Berchem’s Italianate style, that figure feels almost… inevitable. There's a definite romantic vision being presented, though filtered through a Northern European lens. He studied there, and retained some clear Italian influence, even in what seems like a quintessentially Dutch genre piece. Editor: You can almost feel the warmth of the sun on your face just looking at this etching. Though if I were that donkey, I might be craving a little bit of shade... Curator: Indeed! Berchem successfully infused an enduring theme of peace and harmony, capturing the idealized version of a seemingly common setting that has captured our imaginations across the ages. Editor: This piece really makes you stop and appreciate the simple things. I could spend all day watching this little flock have their down time.