Twee koeien en een herder

Twee koeien en een herder by Claude Lorrain (1600-1682) is an exceptional example of the artist's preparatory studies, executed primarily in chalk on paper between 1635 and 1645. Lorrain, a French Baroque master active primarily in Rome, was the preeminent figure in developing the idealized classical landscape. He created countless drawings throughout his mature career, often sketching en plein air to capture the natural elements he would later integrate into his grand canvases. This specific work is classified as a drawing, demonstrating the swift, confident handling of the chalk medium to delineate form and explore compositional arrangement.

The subject matter, depicting two bovine figures and a lone shepherd, perfectly fits the pastoral genre that defined much of Lorrain’s art during the mid-17th century. Unlike his finished paintings, which often framed these figures within sweeping vistas and classical ruins, this study focuses closely on the intimate relationship between the animals and the herdsman. Lorrain uses variation in chalk weight and line density to explore light effects and mass, likely preparing a specific detail or group arrangement for a larger, finished piece. The composition emphasizes rustic tranquility and the inherent harmony of nature.

This refined drawing, characteristic of Lorrain's prolific output, is now housed in the prestigious collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. As a key study dating from the Baroque period, the drawing Twee koeien en een herder provides valuable insight into the drawing process of one of the era's most influential landscape artists. Due to its cultural significance, the image is frequently digitized and made available for research, allowing educators and students worldwide to acquire high-quality prints through public domain resources.