Today, we look at two etchings by/after engraver #KarelDujardin (1622-1678). Dujardin was a Dutch painter and printmaker who is best remembered for his etchings of farm animals. Donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, and cows appear in his etchings in their natural states, whether grazing, wallowing, sleeping, etc..

Dujardin’s technique is quite bold. Clean definitive lines with cross-hatching to give depth and shadow to his image.

From the above etching, we notice there is no background. In the authenticated version of this engraving, there are two trees and a hedge on the left-hand side to add background and depth.

The image we are looking at of the ‘recumbent sheep’ is reversed to the known Dujardin etching. The original also has the sheep being bothered by flies as it is trying to rest.

In the end, I can not say whether or not these were created by Dujardin. A number of etchers produced copies of his works. At worst, I would say they were created in the 18th century by an unknown hand. Still beautiful works and a nice addition to my collection.