Landscape with a Hay Barn and a Flock of Sheep
1652
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a quiet countryside scene with a small pond in the foreground. A few sheep graze near a fence, and a lone figure stands in the distance. Behind them, a thatched-roof barn sits under a large tree, with more trees and a fence lining the horizon. The artist used fine lines to create texture—notice how the water looks rippled and the grass looks rough. This isn’t a painting but a print made with ink on paper, which lets the lines stay sharp. Next, look up etching, drypoint to see how this technique works.
![View of Houtewael near the Sint Anthoniespoort [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/2919925de9060e70/thumb.webp)
