Karel Dujardin was a Dutch painter and etcher, born in Amsterdam in 1626. Typical of his landscape paintings is Farm Animals in the Shade of a Tree (1656; National Gallery, London). He died in Venice in 1678.

Karel Dujardin (born Sept. 27, 1622, Amsterdam, Neth.—died before Oct. 9, 1678, Venice [Italy]) was a Dutch Romanist painter and etcher, best known for his spirited representations of Italian peasants and shepherds with their animals.

Dujardin was a leading painter of Italianate landscapes. Figures and animals feature prominently in Dujardin's landscapes. The animal paintings of Paulus Potter influenced him, as well as the landscapes of his master, Nicolaes Berchem.

The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity.

Karel Dujardin, The Conversion of Saint Paul, 1662. Read about this painting, learn the key facts and zoom in to discover more.

Karel Dujardin; A Shepherdess Speaking to Her Dog, 1653 Karel Dujardin; Two Horses by a Plough, 1657 Karel Dujardin; Title Page, n.d. Karel Dujardin; The Packer with Two Donkeys, 1660 Karel Dujardin; Cow, n.d. Karel Dujardin; Man with a Dog, 1659 Karel Dujardin; Two Horses, 1652–60 Karel Dujardin

Dutch Romanist artist Karel Dujardin’s (1622–1678) oeuvre encompassed allegorical, mythological, and religious history paintings, portraits, and etchings. He was a leading painter of Italianate genre landscapes featuring farm animals and lively peasants.

• Karel Dujardin was born in Amsterdam. • Although he did a few portraits and a few history paintings of religious subjects, most of his work is small Italianate landscape scenes. • The young Dujardin went to Italy, and joined the Bentvueghels group of painters in Rome.

Artist: Karel Dujardin (Dutch, Amsterdam 1622–1678 Venice) Date: 17th century. Medium: Etching; first of three states. Dimensions: Sheet (Trimmed): 6 1/8 × 5 1/2 in. (15.5 × 14 cm) Plate: 6 in. × 5 3/8 in. (15.2 × 13.7 cm) Classification: Prints. Credit Line: Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011. Object Number: 2012.136.615

Dutch painter and etcher of landscapes, cattle, genre scenes, portraits, and religious subjects, active mainly in Amsterdam. He is best known for his small paintings of humble bucolic scenes set in an Italianate or a Dutch landscape and diffused with a clear, warm light.