Artwork
The Country Dance (Small Plate) (La danse sous les arbres)

The Country Dance (Small Plate) (La danse sous les arbres) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Claude Lorrain. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Country Dance (Small Plate), etched by Claude Lorrain around 1637, is a print depicting a lively rural dance scene, characteristic of the artist's emphasis on landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The etching shows a joyful, carefree gathering in a wooded area, with figures dancing and playing music, reflecting Lorrain's common motif of elevating everyday landscapes to historical painting status.
Technique & Style
Lorrain employed intricate etching techniques to achieve depth and texture, with detailed tree renderings and expressive, well-defined figures conveying emotional gestures.
History & Provenance
Created during Lorrain's time in Italy, where he was a pivotal early figure in the landscape genre, though specific provenance details for this small plate are not provided.
Context
As a French Baroque artist primarily known for landscape paintings, this etching exemplifies Lorrain's ability to capture idyllic scenes across mediums.
Legacy
While specific legacy details for *The Country Dance (Small Plate)* are not provided, it contributes to Lorrain's broader influence on the development of landscape art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Claude Lorrain (French: ; born Claude Gellée , called le Lorrain in French; traditionally just Claude in English; c.

















