Cowherd
Original title: Cowherd
kurzbeschreibung
Camille Pissarro made this lithograph around 1899. It presents a herdsman leading a cow on a rope. The print was issued as the only state on pink-gray chine collé.
Description
A figure in mid-motion, one hand raised and arm outstretched, guides a cow by a rope. The animal appears in half-profile. Behind the pair, gentle hills rise and close off the rural view. Gray tones dominate the coloring, with no noticeable transitions or strong highlights. The artist's signature sits at the lower right.
Context
In his later years, Pissarro turned increasingly to printmaking. He was shaped by peasant life around Éragny, where he had lived since 1884. A herdsman with his animal is one of the motifs that recur often in this period. Around 1900, lithography drew new attention among Impressionist artists.
Impact
The clear silhouette of the herdsman and the calm line of the hills give the layout a balanced, unhurried measure. The restrained gray tones make the sheet feel intimate and sketch-like, capturing everyday rural life.
Technique
This lithograph was printed on pink-gray chine collé. Only this single state exists. The sheet measures 36 x 26.9 cm, the plate 13 x 11.3 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)