Career
His paintings, of which he produced an immense number, (Hofstede de Groot claimed around 850, although many are misattributed), were in great demand, as were his 80 etchings and 500 drawings. His landscapes, painted in the Italian style of idealized rural scenes, with hills, mountains, cliffs and trees in a golden dawn are sought after. Berchem also painted inspired and attractive human and animal figures (staffage) in works of other artists, like Allaert van Everdingen, January Hackaert, Gerrit Dou, Meindert Hobbema and Willem Schellinks.
Born in Haarlem, he received instruction from his father Pieter Claesz, and from the painters January van Goyen, Pieter de Grebber, January Baptist Weenix, January Wils and Claes Cornelisz.
Moeyaert. According to Houbraken, Carel de Moor told him that Berchem got his name from two words "Berg hem" for "Save him!", an expression used by his fellows in Van Goyen"s workshop whenever his father chased him there with the intent to beat him. Number trip or Grand Tour by Berchem was documented by Houbraken though he mentioned another story about the "Berg hem!" nickname which came from Berchem"s conscription as a sailor.
The man in charge of impressment knew him and sent him ashore with the words "Save him!". Today his name is assumed to come from his father"s hometown of Berchem, Antwerp.
Works by him are signed both as "CBerghem" and "Berchem".
Around 1650 he travelled to Westphalia with Jacob van Ruisdael, where a dated piece showing Burg Bentheim is recorded. Maybe Berchem went to Italy after this trip and before he moved to Amsterdam - he is not clearly documented in the Netherlands between 1650 and 1656. Around 1660 he worked for the engraver January de Visscher designing an atlas.
In 1661-1670 he is registered in Amsterdam and in 1670 he moved back to Haarlem, but was living back in Amsterdam by 1677, where he died in 1683.
Neil MacLaren, The Dutch School, 1600-1800, Volume I, 1991, National Catalogues, National, London.