Rustende herders met ezel - François Vivares

A fine eighteenth-century etching by François Vivares, depicting a tranquil pastoral scene with a donkey and resting shepherds, based on a design by Nicolaes Berchem.

This etching by François Vivares captures a quiet pastoral scene, a genre popularised in the eighteenth century. The composition features a central donkey standing amongst a small group of resting sheep and goats, while two figures sit in the background. One figure appears to be playing a pipe, adding to the idyllic, rural atmosphere typical of the period. The work is based on a design by Nicolaes Berchem, as indicated by the inscription 'Berghem delin' in the lower right corner. Vivares, a French engraver who spent much of his career in London, was known for his technical precision in translating paintings and drawings into print form. The etching demonstrates a mastery of line and texture. The artist uses varying densities of hatching to define the coarse fur of the animals and the soft contours of the terrain. The background remains relatively sparse, allowing the viewer to focus on the interaction between the figures and their livestock. This print reflects the European fascination with the Italianate pastoral tradition, which sought to evoke a sense of calm and simplicity. The inclusion of the donkey, a common motif in such works, provides a sense of scale and domesticity to the scene. The print is executed with a clean, controlled technique that characterises the work of an experienced engraver of the era. It offers a glimpse into the aesthetic preferences of the eighteenth-century collector, who valued both the technical skill of the printmaker and the thematic appeal of rural life.