Staande en liggende runderen en een koe die gemolken wordt - François Vivares

A detailed 18th-century etching by François Vivares depicting a pastoral scene with cattle and a milkmaid, after a design by Nicolaes Berchem.

This etching by François Vivares depicts a pastoral scene featuring cattle in a rural setting. The composition includes a central cow standing, another resting on the ground, and a figure engaged in milking a third animal in the background. The work reflects the 18th-century interest in rural life and the Dutch Italianate tradition, as indicated by the inscription 'Berghem delin', which attributes the original design to Nicolaes Berchem. Vivares, a French engraver who spent much of his career in London, was known for his technical skill in reproducing the works of other masters through the medium of etching. The print demonstrates a clear command of line and shading. The artist uses varied hatching techniques to define the texture of the animals' hides and the uneven terrain of the field. The background remains relatively sparse, allowing the focus to remain on the livestock and the human activity. The inclusion of a sheep in the foreground adds to the sense of a populated, working farmstead. The work is typical of the period's output, where such prints were produced for collectors who admired the rustic charm of the countryside. The etching process allows for a high degree of detail, capturing the anatomy of the cattle with precision while maintaining a sense of natural movement. This piece provides a glimpse into the aesthetic preferences of the era, where the quietude of agricultural life was a popular subject for both artists and printmakers.