Artwork
Sleeping Shepherd Tickled by a Shepherdess
Sleeping Shepherd Tickled by a Shepherdess is an ink print by the Baroque artist Giuseppe Maria Crespi. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left: Joseph de Gilpis In.
About this work
Overview
Sleeping Shepherd Tickled by a Shepherdess is an etching on laid paper created by Giuseppe Maria Crespi, a late Baroque artist from the Bolognese School, around 1736. It is a print that showcases the artist's skill in capturing everyday life scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a serene outdoor scene where a shepherdess playfully tickles a sleeping shepherd. A dog lies nearby, and the background features rolling hills and a calm sky, evoking a sense of tranquility and rustic charm.
Technique & Style
Crespi employed fine lines to render the soft folds of the shepherd's clothing and the gentle movement of the shepherdess's gesture, exemplifying the detailed linework characteristic of etching.
History & Provenance
The print is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, created during a period when Crespi was broadening his artistic focus beyond traditional subjects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Giuseppe Maria Crespi (14 March 1665 – 16 July 1747), nicknamed Lo Spagnuolo ('The Spaniard'), was an Italian late Baroque painter of the Bolognese School.
