The Ford

"The Ford," created by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) in 1634, is a notable example of seventeenth-century French Baroque landscape etching. Primarily known for his idealized paintings, Lorrain was also a dedicated printmaker, utilizing the etching technique to explore atmospheric light and classical composition. This specific impression is documented as the second state of five, according to the scholarly catalog compiled by Lino Mannocci, providing insight into the artist’s iterative development of the image on the copper plate.

The composition centers on a pastoral river crossing, the "ford" itself, framed dramatically by large, ancient trees. The scene is populated by small clusters of men and women guiding animals, including cattle and goats, through the shallow water. These figures are subservient to the grandeur of the setting, which uses careful placement and tonal gradation to suggest deep spatial recession and a sense of tranquil antiquity. The print exemplifies Lorrain’s mastery of light, which here defines the volume of the foliage and illuminates the distant, hazy background.

The 1634 dating places this work early in Lorrain’s career as a graphic artist, demonstrating the technical skill that quickly established his reputation in Rome. His work profoundly influenced subsequent generations of landscape painters and printmakers throughout Europe. This historic piece, classified as one of the essential prints of its era, resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a major work from a foundational artist, images of this piece are often available through public domain resources, ensuring broad access to the work of Claude Lorrain.