# The Cattle Ferry

- By: Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem (Haarlem, 1620–1683)
- Date: c. 1655
- Medium: canvas, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: depth 10.5 cm
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-A-31--4092c7fd5c708321a6bb365f8deddc53)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/hwYGH/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

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.