Two Cowherds at Sunrise or Sunset - Gesina ter Borch

A delicate 1654 watercolour by Gesina ter Borch depicting two herdsmen resting with their cattle in a quiet, pastoral setting.

This watercolour by Gesina ter Borch, dated 1654, captures a quiet moment of rural life. The composition features two cowherds resting beneath the shade of a tree, their bodies relaxed as they watch over a small herd of cattle grazing on the open field. The artist employs a delicate application of pigment, using soft washes to define the horizon and the gentle light of either dawn or dusk. The cattle are rendered with individual character, showing a variety of markings and postures, from those standing to others resting on the grass.

Gesina ter Borch was a member of a prominent family of artists in Deventer. Her work often reflects the domestic and social spheres of the seventeenth-century Netherlands. Unlike the large-scale oil paintings produced by her brother, Gerard ter Borch, her output frequently consists of intimate drawings and watercolours, often compiled into albums. These pieces provide a window into the personal observations of a woman artist during the Dutch Golden Age. The inclusion of the date at the bottom right corner confirms the work was produced during her early twenties, a period when she was actively refining her draughtsmanship.

The scene is marked by a sense of stillness. The figures of the herdsmen, one leaning on his staff and the other reclining, suggest a pause in the daily labour of pastoral life. The horizon is kept low, allowing the expansive sky to dominate the upper portion of the frame. This work is part of a larger collection of her drawings, which are highly regarded for their historical value and their depiction of contemporary Dutch life. The palette remains restrained, relying on earthy tones and muted greens to convey the natural setting, while the fine ink outlines provide structure to the figures and the animals.