Artwork

Liber Veritatis: No. 42, A River Landscape with a Shepherd and Shepherdess and a Herd of Cattle

Liber Veritatis: No. 42, A River Landscape with a Shepherd and Shepherdess and a Herd of Cattle is a print by the Romanticist artist Richard Earlom. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Liber Veritatis No.

Accession no.: 1930.563
Credit line: Charles W. Harkness Endowment Fund

About this work

Overview

Liber Veritatis No. 42, titled A River Landscape with a Shepherd and Shepherdess and a Herd of Cattle, is an 18th‑century print executed in 1774 by the English engraver Richard Earlom. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and exemplifies the period’s interest in pastoral scenes rendered with precise draftsmanship.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a tranquil rural setting: a shepherd and shepherdess stand beside a group of cattle and sheep while a meandering river flows through the foreground. Distant trees frame a small town perched on the water’s edge, and a few birds trace gentle arcs across a soft sky, suggesting an idealized vision of harmonious countryside life.

Technique & Style

Earlom employs chiaroscuro shading to model the figures and foliage, creating a sense of depth that separates the darker foreground from the lighter atmospheric background. The careful gradation of tones and fine line work highlight the central figures and emphasize the three‑dimensional quality of the landscape, a hallmark of his printmaking practice.

History & Provenance

Created in 1774, the print was originally part of the Liber Veritatis series, a collection of records documenting earlier works. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains a representative example of Earlom’s contribution to British print culture.