Artwork
Herdsman Crossing a River

Herdsman Crossing a River is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Francesco Casanova. It dates from 1768 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Herdsman Crossing a River is a drawing by Francesco Casanova, created in 1768. It is executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a tranquil scene of a herdsman guiding his flock across a river, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and trees under a cloudy sky. The herdsman's traditional attire adds to the rustic atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Casanova's use of layered drawing techniques, combining pen, brown ink, and brown wash over black chalk, achieves a sense of depth and texture. The interplay of light and shadow contributes to the drawing's realism.
Artist & collection











