Departure for the Fields

Departure for the Fields is an etching created by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) between 1633 and 1646. This detailed print, which falls into the third state of four identified by Mannocci, exemplifies Lorrain’s commitment to pastoral classicism, a style that dominated European landscape painting throughout the 17th century. The technique employed here-etching-allows for the subtle rendering of atmosphere and light, characteristic of the artist's mature work.

The composition centers on a tranquil, idealized rustic scene. The foreground features several human figures interacting with their livestock as they embark on their daily routine, justifying the title. Lorrain skillfully integrates various animals, including cows, donkeys, and goats, beneath the heavy canopy of expansive, ancient-looking trees. These trees frame the central activity while drawing the viewer's eye toward the luminous background, creating a sense of deep recession typical of classical landscape design.

Lorrain was highly influential, not just through his large-scale paintings but also through his published prints, which circulated widely and provided models for subsequent generations of artists. This particular impression of Departure for the Fields is held within the comprehensive prints and drawings collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As this work dates from the Baroque period, it is commonly accessible through public domain resources, allowing scholars and art enthusiasts worldwide to study Lorrain’s mastery of light and composition.