Artwork
Shepherd and Shepherdess (Le Berger et la bergere)
Shepherd and Shepherdess (Le Berger et la bergere) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Charles François Daubigny. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1874, the etching titled *Shepherd and Shepherdess* presents a tranquil rural tableau.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1874, the etching titled *Shepherd and Shepherdess* presents a tranquil rural tableau. A shepherd and shepherdess stand amid a lightly wooded landscape, accompanied by grazing animals. Sunlight filters through the foliage, illuminating the figures and surrounding vegetation, while the composition balances foreground figures with a broader natural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a pastoral scene that reflects the artist’s ongoing interest in countryside life. By placing the shepherd and shepherdess at the center, the image emphasizes a harmonious relationship between humans and the land, echoing the 19th‑century fascination with idyllic rural existence.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, the piece showcases fine line work that renders the textures of clothing, bark, and grass with precision. Careful modulation of light and shadow creates a sense of depth, while the overall treatment remains realistic, aligning with the Barbizon school’s emphasis on atmospheric observation.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Charles‑François Daubigny, a French artist linked to the Barbizon movement and an early influence on Impressionism. Daubigny’s printmaking practice often incorporated experimental methods, and this 1874 etching forms part of his broader series of rural subjects.
Context
During the mid‑19th century, French artists increasingly turned to naturalistic depictions of the countryside, moving away from academic conventions. Daubigny’s focus on everyday rural figures and landscapes situates the work within this shift toward realism and the emerging interest in light effects that would later inform Impressionist approaches.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles-François Daubigny ( DOH-bin-yee, US: DOH-been-YEE, doh-BEEN-yee, French: ; 15 February 1817 – 19 February 1878) was a French painter, one of the members of the Barbizon school, and is considered an important precursor of…
