The Two Landscapes

The Two Landscapes by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) is an exquisite example of the artist's early printmaking practice, dating from approximately 1625-1635. This work is a particularly fine impression, identified technically as the first state of three documented by Mannocci. The classification as a print confirms its creation through the meticulous process of etching, where the artist draws directly onto a prepared metal plate, allowing for the precise capture of intricate details. Unlike the idealized, classical landscape paintings for which Lorrain later became famous in Rome, his early etchings display a looser, more immediate technique reflective of the burgeoning naturalism of the mid-17th century.

The subject matter, dominated by dense arrangements of Trees and rugged foliage, showcases Lorrain’s profound early engagement with naturalistic observation. He employs the etching needle skillfully to define the various textures of the wood and the complexity of the undergrowth, contrasting sharp detail in the foreground with softer, tonal qualities in the distance that suggest atmosphere and depth. The composition effectively juxtaposes two separate, rugged landscape vignettes, connected only by the stylistic sensibility of the artist.

Lorrain’s early foray into the graphic arts was crucial for disseminating his unique vision of landscape across Europe. The rarity of this specific impression provides important insight into the technical evolution of the artist’s prints before his eventual mastery of the paysage composé. This impressive example of early landscape etching resides in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and as part of its public domain holdings, high-quality images of this foundational work are widely available.