Artwork
Woman Spinner and a Shepherd with Flock

Woman Spinner and a Shepherd with Flock is a gouache print by the Baroque artist Francesco Londonio. It dates from 1758 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Woman Spinner and a Shepherd with Flock is an etching heightened with white gouache on blue paper, created by Francesco Londonio in 1758. This print exemplifies the artist's tendency to depict serene, rustic scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays a peaceful coexistence of daily labor and pastoral life, with a woman spinning wool on a rock and a nearby shepherd tending to his grazing flock. The scene reflects Londonio's recurring theme of rustic and pastoral subjects, catering to the tastes of Northern Italy's wealthy patrons.
Technique & Style
Londonio employed etching on blue paper, enhancing the work with white gouache to add warmth and texture. This technique highlights intricate details, such as the woman's clothing and the shepherd's surroundings, against a subtle blue backdrop.
History & Provenance
Created in 1758, the work is characteristic of Londonio's output during his activity in Milan. Trained under Ferdinando Porta, Giovanni Battista Sassi, and Benigno Bossi, with influences from travels to Rome and Naples, though specific provenance details for this piece are not provided.
Context
This etching fits within the late-Baroque to Rococo period in Milan, where pastoral and rustic themes were favored by the elite. Londonio's style blends these influences with his training in painting, engraving, and scenography.
Legacy
While specific legacy details for *Woman Spinner and a Shepherd with Flock* are not provided, the work contributes to Londonio's broader contribution to 18th-century Italian printmaking, particularly in capturing the serene, everyday life of rural subjects.
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.















