“Pastoral scene – Cattle and sheep in an Italian Landscape” Romeyn Willem (1624 – 1693)

Oil on canvas, relined with sealing wax on the original frame, good general state of conservation, ancient frame (not contemporary).

Dutch painter, pupil of K. Dujardin and Johannes Lingelbach, from 1642 he frequented the workshop of Nicolaes Berchem in Harleem, the first works were created starting from 1645.

From 1646 he became a member of the Guild of San Luca in Harlem of which he was dean from 1659 to 1677, he moved to Rome where he belonged to the second generation of painters defined as Dutch Italianates. His artistic production consists almost exclusively of Italian landscapes with grazing animals, in particular sheep, cattle and rarely equines (donkeys), stylistically very influenced by Berchem. Romeyn possessed sensitivity for Nature and a great taste in small-scale compositions, sometimes very similar to the works of Hendrik Mommers, his contemporary and also a student of Berchem.

Bibliography: Niederlandische Maler in Harleem,
Schuler with Nicolaes Berchem,
Works exhibited in Harlem museums, New York at the C.Ruthrauff Collection, Worchester Collection, MJ Whittal Collection, private collections in London, Paris, Vienna and the Bristol City Museum.