The painter Nicolaes Pietersz. Berchem was born in Haarlem on 1 October 1620. He died in Amsterdam on 18 February 1693.
Berchem became best known for his Mediterranean, pastoral landscapes. In these landscapes human figures play a greater role than in others.

Berchem is known as the most productive Italianate landscape painter. Already in his time he made good prices for his paintings. He was especially appreciated for his accurate depiction. He also painted mostly figures and animals on paintings of others.

In the second half of the 18th century Berchem was considered one of the most important Dutch artists. French painting in the 18th century is even unthinkable without Berchem, whose paintings inspired the most important French painters such as François Boucher, Jean-Baptiste Oudry, Jean-Baptiste Pillement and Jean-Honoré Fragonard.