Two Shepherds in a Rocky Landscape

Two Shepherds in a Rocky Landscape

Salomon Gessner

1764

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows two shepherds sitting by a rocky cliffside. One plays a flute while the other leans back, resting on one arm. A sheep lies nearby, and a fence made of wooden posts runs along the bottom edge. Trees and bushes fill the background, with a tall tree leaning over the scene. The artist used fine lines to show texture—rough rocks, soft grass, and the shepherds’ clothes. The pale blue tint on the paper adds a cool tone to the whole scene. Want to see more? Look up etching to learn how artists like this make detailed prints.

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