Study with Brigands (Upper Section)

Study with Brigands (Upper Section) is an etching created by the French Baroque artist Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) sometime between 1628 and 1638. This print is documented as being the only state produced for this specific composition, showcasing Lorrain's early engagement with printmaking. Although the artist is primarily known for his idealized, classical landscapes that defined the Roman Campagna tradition, Lorrain produced numerous studies focusing on figures, animals, and small, dramatic vignettes.

The subject matter of the print focuses on a compressed scene, contrasting the implied menace of the "brigands" title with detailed depictions of accompanying animals, which were often necessary elements in travel or wilderness scenes of the period. The work displays the characteristic sharp linework of etching, allowing Lorrain to achieve both deep shadows and fine textural details as he experimented with dramatic narrative elements. Unlike his later, more refined landscape compositions, this piece, like many of his studies from the 1630s, possesses a raw energy and immediacy.

As a significant example of 17th-century graphic work, this print resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it helps illustrate Lorrain’s evolving approach to composition and study before he fully dedicated himself to painting grand mythological scenes. While the original artwork is held by the museum, high-quality images of this master's early prints are often made available through the public domain, ensuring scholars and enthusiasts worldwide can access these detailed studies. Lorrain’s commitment to accurately capturing natural elements, from human figures to the depiction of animals, profoundly influenced generations of subsequent landscape artists.