Public domain
The Ferry
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
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.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineHet ponteveer. c. 1655. Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
