Four Goats (Left Section of The Goats)

The influential French Baroque artist Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) created Four Goats (Left Section of The Goats) between 1625 and 1638. This detailed piece is an etching, specifically represented here as the second state of four (Mannocci). This classification highlights the meticulous, iterative process of developing the copper plate over time, a common practice within the history of prints.

While Lorrain is most famed for his idealized classical landscapes and depictions of mythological scenes, this work demonstrates his facility with close observation of the natural world. The composition focuses intently on four goats resting beneath a cluster of dense trees, subjects rendered with precise line work characteristic of the etching medium. Lorrain skillfully used the technique to explore the interplay of light and shadow across the animals' rough coats and the rugged textures of the surrounding foliage. Though a direct study of farm animals, the piece maintains the sense of quiet, pastoral contemplation often found in the artist's larger, celebrated canvases.

The significance of this powerful print lies in its direct engagement with nature, diverging slightly from the grand historical scenes for which the artist is widely known. This exemplary work is part of the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering valuable insight into Lorrain’s graphic output. The Metropolitan holds the entire series related to The Goats. Because the creation date falls within the standard timeframe, the image is often available for study and reproduction as public domain art, making high-quality prints accessible to researchers and enthusiasts worldwide.