Who painted Landscape with Shepherds?

Landscape with Shepherds was painted by Francesco Zuccarelli in 1701.

Where can I see Landscape with Shepherds?

Landscape with Shepherds is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Landscape with Shepherds?

Landscape with Shepherds is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Landscape with Shepherds?

Museum-quality prints of Landscape with Shepherds are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Landscape with Shepherds

Francesco Zuccarelli , 1701

Landscape with Shepherds is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Francesco Zuccarelli. It dates from 1701 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:Iower right in brown ink by the artist(?): FZ [in monogram]; by John Barnard, below drawing at lower right on mount in brown ink, J.B.; lower center of mount in brown ink: Zuccarelli; by John Barnard, upper right verso in pen and brown ink: No. 750/ 14 x 8 1/2; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: DITTO / 14

About this work

Overview

Created in 1701, this drawing by Francesco Zuccarelli combines pen, brown ink, a brown wash, and white gouache on laid paper that has been mounted on an older support. The composition presents a tranquil rural landscape populated by a few figures, a modest building with a dome, and a river flanked by trees, rendered in muted earth tones punctuated by bright highlights.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts an Arcadian countryside where shepherds and travelers pause beneath a tree, cross a bridge, and wander along a path. The inclusion of a domed structure beside the water suggests a pastoral ideal that blends human activity with a serene natural environment, reflecting the artist’s interest in harmonious, bucolic narratives.

Technique & Style

Zuccarelli employed a layered approach: initial sketches in black chalk were overlaid with brown ink and a wash to model forms, while white gouache was applied to accent light areas. This method produces soft transitions in foliage and terrain, characteristic of mid‑18th‑century Italian landscape drawing, and creates a sense of atmospheric depth.

History & Provenance

Zuccarelli, an Italian painter who settled in Venice, became the city’s leading landscape artist in the mid‑1700s. His Arcadian visions were widely collected across Europe, especially in England, where he spent significant periods. The drawing reflects his collaborative practice and the patronage he enjoyed from aristocratic clients.

Context

The work belongs to the late Baroque transitioning toward Rococo, a period marked by lighter palettes and idyllic subject matter. While retaining the Baroque emphasis on composition and movement, Zuccarelli’s treatment of light and gentle scenery anticipates the more decorative sensibilities of the Rococo.

A Landscape with Three Figures and a Dog, Théodore Rousseau

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Artist & collection

Artist

Francesco Zuccarelli

Giacomo Francesco Zuccarelli (commonly known as Francesco Zuccarelli, Italian pronunciation:; 15 August 1702 – 30 December 1788) was an Italian artist of the late Baroque or Rococo period.