Artwork
Shepherd Playing a Flute with Goats
Shepherd Playing a Flute with Goats is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francesco Londonio. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Shepherd Playing a Flute with Goats is a 1764 print by Francesco Londonio, an Italian artist known for pastoral scenes. The work is an etching on blue paper, heightened with white.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a shepherd playing a flute amidst a flock of goats on a grassy hillside, framed by a rocky cliff and trees. The scene exemplifies Londonio's focus on rustic subjects, a genre favored by Northern Italy's wealthy patrons.
Technique & Style
Londonio used fine lines to capture the texture of the goats' wool and the terrain. The dark lines stand out against the blue paper, creating a striking contrast. The technique of etching allowed for detailed renderings of the subjects.
History & Provenance
Londonio was trained by Ferdinando Porta, Giovanni Battista Sassi, and Benigno Bossi, and traveled to Rome and Naples. His work reflects the late-Baroque and Rococo styles prevalent during his time in Milan.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Londonio (1723–1783) was an Italian painter, engraver, and scenographer, active mainly in his native Milan in a late-Baroque or Rococo style.
