Shepherd and Shepherdess Conversing in a Landscape (Berger et bergère conversant)
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This picture shows a quiet countryside scene with two people talking near a river. One sits on a rock while the other stands, both dressed in simple clothes. Trees line the riverbank, and in the distance, a small town sits on a hill with a church steeple. The sky is light, and the whole scene looks soft and peaceful. Look closer at the trees—they’re drawn with fine lines that make them look alive. The artist used a method that lets ink build up in layers, giving shadows and texture. Next, check out etching to see how it works.
