Who painted Departure for the Fields?

Departure for the Fields was painted by Claude Lorrain in 1640.

Where can I see Departure for the Fields?

Departure for the Fields is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Departure for the Fields?

Departure for the Fields is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Departure for the Fields?

Museum-quality prints of Departure for the Fields are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Departure for the Fields

Claude Lorrain , 1640

Departure for the Fields is an ink print by the Baroque artist Claude Lorrain. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1640, this black‑ink etching on laid paper presents a tranquil rural landscape.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1640, this black‑ink etching on laid paper presents a tranquil rural landscape. The composition centers on a shepherd with his staff, a grazing flock, and a mature tree, while a modest settlement rests on a distant rise. Light sky and gentle shading convey a sense of calm, characteristic of the artist’s treatment of nature.

Subject & Meaning

The scene combines everyday agrarian life with a hint of narrative, a hallmark of the creator’s approach to landscape. The solitary shepherd and his sheep suggest pastoral simplicity, while the distant village and wandering figures evoke a broader human presence, linking the natural setting to communal activity without explicit mythological or biblical reference.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine, incised lines, the print achieves depth through varying line density and cross‑hatching, rendering the foreground figures more sharply than the receding village. Textural detail in foliage and grass emerges from subtle shading, while the laid‑paper surface adds a faint tonal quality, enhancing the atmospheric lightness of the sky.

History & Provenance

The French Baroque artist, originally from Lorraine but active mainly in Italy, produced this work as part of his printmaking practice. Though primarily known for oil landscapes, his etchings extend his visual language to the graphic medium, offering a portable version of his compositional ideals that circulated among collectors of the mid‑17th century.