The Herd at the Watering Place

"The Herd at the Watering Place" is an accomplished etching created by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) in 1635. This work, classified as a print, showcases the artist's foundational mastery of the pastoral landscape genre, for which he would become internationally renowned. Executed in the challenging medium of etching, this particular impression represents the third and final state of the plate according to Mannocci's definitive cataloging.

Lorrain carefully constructs an idealized vision of the Roman Campagna setting, characteristic of the mid-17th century Baroque period. The composition centers on a group of livestock, including several cows and goats, congregating at a shadowy pool to drink. Several men, likely herdsmen, are positioned near the animals, reinforcing the rustic theme of the piece. This work exemplifies Lorrain's skillful use of light and shadow, defining depth through careful gradation typical of his early printmaking efforts.

This significant example of early Baroque prints is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The Herd at the Watering Place demonstrates Lorrain’s consistent theme of fusing classical antiquity with everyday rustic life, a visual formula that profoundly influenced later landscape painters. As the work dates from the 17th century, it is today recognized as being in the public domain, allowing students and collectors access to high-quality reproductions of this foundational print.