The Goatherd (Le chevrier)

The Goatherd (Le chevrier) by Claude Lorrain is a significant example of the French artist’s work in printmaking, executed as an etching in 1663. While Lorrain is primarily known for his idealized oil paintings depicting classical history and pastoral scenes, he was also a prolific printmaker, utilizing the intaglio technique of etching to translate his masterful compositions into reproducible form. This classification as a standalone print highlights the value placed on graphic arts during the latter half of the 17th century.

Created during the expansive period spanning 1651 to 1700, this etching perfectly reflects the defining characteristics of Lorrain’s style: the careful organization of space, the depiction of atmospheric light, and the integration of small, unassuming figures into grand natural settings. The composition focuses on the solitary figure of the goatherd tending his flock within a heavily wooded, rugged landscape, reminiscent of the Roman Campagna where Lorrain spent most of his professional life. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Lorrain treated his prints not merely as reproductions but as original works of art, using delicate and precise line work to achieve the soft, hazy sfumato effect characteristic of his paintings.

Lorrain’s prints were highly sought after during his lifetime and profoundly influenced later generations of landscape painters and graphic artists across Europe. This particular work, which captures the serene, balanced aesthetic of French High Classicism, demonstrates his skill in managing tonal range and depth within the constraints of black and white. Today, The Goatherd (Le chevrier) is preserved as part of the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Owing to its historical significance and age, this masterwork, like many 17th-century prints, is often made available through public domain archives for study and appreciation.