Landscape with Sheep

The masterful drawing, Landscape with Sheep, was executed by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) in 1648. This piece exemplifies the artist's refined approach to preparatory and finished studies of the natural world. Classified as a drawing, the work was created using black chalk, sepia ink, and wash, dramatically heightened with careful applications of white gouache. This mix of media allows Lorrain to create deep tonal variations, generating a luminous effect despite the restricted palette, a technique essential for artists focused on light and atmosphere in the 17th century.

The subject centers on a deeply shadowed, yet serene, classical landscape. The composition is defined by tall, feathery trees and rugged terrain that descends toward an unseen body of water. Lorrain frequently utilized pastoral motifs, and the prominent inclusion of sheep grazing near a central figure grounds the expansive scene, providing a sense of scale and tranquility characteristic of the Ideal Landscape tradition he largely pioneered. The piece serves as a key example of how Lorrain transformed direct observation into highly structured, atmospheric compositions.

As a highly influential figure in the development of European landscape art, Lorrain’s drawings and preparatory studies were meticulously valued. This work, executed late in his career, showcases his mature ability to manipulate light and shadow to suggest profound depth. This piece currently resides within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the historical importance of the artist and the drawing’s collection status, high-quality prints derived from the original often circulate among those studying the history of the Baroque period, demonstrating the continuing public domain relevance of Lorrain’s profound contribution to drawing.