BERCHEM (or BERGHHEM), NICOLAAS (162o–1683)  , Dutch painter, was born at Haarlem . He received instruction from his father (Pieter Claasz van Haarlem) and from the painters Van Goyen, Jan Wils and Weenix . It is not known why he called himself Berchem (or Berighem, and other variants) . His pictures, of which he produced an immense number, were in great demand, as were also his etchings and drawings . His landscapes are highly esteemed; and many of them have been finely engraved by John Visscher . His finest pictures are at the Amsterdam Museum and at the Hermitage, St Petersburg .