Drie schapen bij een steen 1655 - 1690

This is an etching of three sheep by an anonymous artist. The print is from the Netherlands. Although unsigned, the inscription on the stone at the bottom of the image credits Nicolaes Berchem as the inventor, or originator, of the design, and A. Blooteling as the one who ‘excudit,’ or produced, the print. This division of labor was common in the Dutch Republic, a hub of printmaking in the 17th century. Berchem specialized in pastoral scenes that were popular with the urban elite who sought an idealized vision of rural life. Prints like this were often collected in albums or used as models for other artists. The widespread availability of prints democratized art and allowed for the circulation of images and ideas across social classes. They helped shape visual culture and contributed to the development of a shared Dutch identity. By consulting archival documents and studying the biographies of artists and publishers, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and economic forces that shaped the production and consumption of art in the Dutch Republic.