Herd Crossing the Brook

Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a pastoral scene with animals and people crossing a shallow body of water. In the foreground, sheep and cattle are wading through the water with their reflections visible. A woman stands with her back to the viewer holding a child. Further back, more cattle are visible, one being ridden by a man with a wide-brimmed hat and staff. In the background, there are towering cliffs and rock formations. The artwork is done with detailed etching lines creating texture, particularly in the animals' fur and woman's clothing. The color palette is monochromatic, using different shades of black and white that emphasize the lines and shading techniques.