Artwork
Sleeping Shepherd, Two Calves, and a Peasant Woman
Sleeping Shepherd, Two Calves, and a Peasant Woman is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francesco Londonio. It dates from 1762 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Sleeping Shepherd, Two Calves, and a Peasant Woman is a 1762 etching by Francesco Londonio, an Italian artist active in Milan. The work is executed in etching with white heightening on blue laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a serene rural scene featuring a sleeping shepherd, two calves, and a peasant woman. The figures are set against a simple background of grass and a quiet field, conveying a sense of tranquility.
Technique & Style
Londonio employed a combination of dark lines and soft white highlights to create contrast against the blue paper. The figures, particularly the animals, are rendered with attention to detail, such as the fur texture of the calves and the worn clothing of the shepherd.
Context
Londonio's work reflects the pastoral themes popular among wealthy patrons in Northern Italy during the late-Baroque or Rococo period. His training under various artists, including Benigno Bossi, and travels to Rome and Naples likely influenced his style.
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.
