Paysages animés

First printing of this suite of 4 engravings numbered 1 to 4.
20th-century binding in half re-used vellum. Unlettered spine. 18th-century style marbled paper on boards. Engravings mounted on guards. Good copy. First print backed with old paper to repair a tear and small lacks to lower margin. The second print contains a 1cm tear to margin, a stain to the lower part of the engraving, and a restored lack to the right corner.
Nicolaes Pietersz. Berchem (1620-1683) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman and engraver who was among the principal Dutch Italianate artists. His work had a lasting influence on landscape painting. He excelled in the representation of animals. Besides 800 paintings and 500 drawings, he created 50 engravings of which the 4 present in this collection are emblematic of his style, blending domestic animals and peasants, shepherds, washerwomen in a fantastical landscape... Many of his works were engraved in the 18th century.