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Abraham Begeijn, 'Peasants with Cattle by a Ruin', probably about 1665-90

About the work

Overview

The sky is moody but the scene is one of pastoral tranquillity. A golden light picks out the flanks of the animals which rest peacefully in the foreground and the figure of the woman who chats to the shepherd. This was a fashionable atmospheric effect, characteristic of Italianate landscape painting, which had recently been introduced to Holland by Dutch painters who had visited Rome and whose work was proving popular with art buyers in northern Europe. The mountains and the ruins in the background also evoke classical ideas of Italy and an idyllic rural life.

The monogram on the end of the stone block at the right is false. It is intended to be that of Nicolaes Berchem, but this painting is much closer in style to the Italianate landscapes of Abraham Cornelisz. Begeijn (or Bega) who was born in Leiden and worked in Italy, Amsterdam, London, The Hague and Berlin.

Key facts

Details

Full title
Peasants with Cattle by a Ruin
Artist dates
active from 1655; died 1697
Date made
probably about 1665-90
Medium and support
oil on canvas
Dimensions
54.3 × 66 cm
Acquisition credit
Bequeathed by Richard Frankum, 1861
Inventory number
NG78
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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