Schapen
Marcus de Bye
1728 - c. 1761
Medium
etching
Dimensions
147; 116
About this artwork
collector's mark: Lugt 240
Art Historical Context
**Schapen (Sheep)** *Marcus de Bye, 1728–c. 1761, etching, 116 × 147 mm* "Schapen," meaning "Sheep" in Dutch, is a charming etching by the 18th-century Dutch artist Marcus de Bye. Created sometime between 1728 and around 1761, this small-scale print (just 116mm high by 147mm wide) captures a pastoral scene likely featuring sheep, a popular motif in Dutch art evoking the tranquility of rural life. De Bye's work reflects the enduring tradition of animal studies from the Dutch Golden Age, even as that era waned, blending everyday observation with artistic finesse. Etching was de Bye's preferr...