Departure for the Fields

"Departure for the Fields" is an exquisite etching created by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) between 1633 and 1646. This important work exemplifies Lorrain’s mastery of the ideal landscape tradition, merging classical structure with pastoral serenity. The classification as a print and the specific state information-the third of four known states (Mannocci)-indicates the careful technical development and refinement Lorrain undertook in the medium of etching throughout the creation process.

The scene depicts a tranquil, expansive environment characteristic of the Roman Campagna, though interpreted through the artist’s classical lens. The composition centers on a group of Human Figures preparing to leave for their daily routines, accompanying their livestock along a path framed by dense trees. Several cows and goats are shown either crossing a rustic bridge or wading through water in the foreground, guided expertly by the figures. Lorrain uses delicate handling of the etched line to create a sense of deep atmospheric perspective, drawing the viewer’s eye toward the luminous distance.

Lorrain viewed printmaking as a crucial vehicle for disseminating his compositional ideas to a wider audience, and this etching highlights the subtle variations in light and shade that define his influential style. The work beautifully encapsulates the lyrical quality of his idealized landscapes, which profoundly impacted subsequent generations of European artists. This impression of "Departure for the Fields" is preserved within the prestigious collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.