Peasants with Cattle fording a Stream

When this picture was cleaned in 1981 it became clear that the signature, previously not thought to be original, was genuine, and that the handling of paint was entirely consistent with Berchem's style in the 1670s.

Berchem frequently painted such pastoral scenes of elegant riders, peasants and small herds of cattle, set in the warm light of the countryside around Rome. These works were inspired by his visit to Italy in 1650-4.