The Cattle Ferry
Rijksmuseum

The Cattle Ferry

1655

CC0 — Public Domain
Rijksmuseum

The ferry crossing is a hive of activity. Our attention is grabbed by the urinating grey horse at right, its rider giving orders with her outstretched arm. At centre a shepherd rearranges the load on his mule, while his dog barks loudly. By cleverly manipulating light, Berchem enhanced the accumulation of motifs that fill his compositions: even in the shadows, highlighted details spring to the eye.

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