A young Herdsman 1840 - 1870

"A Young Herdsman" is a painting by Eugène Modeste Edmond Lepoittevin, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The oil on canvas painting from 1840-1870 depicts a young boy, barefoot and wearing a straw hat, standing on a path in a landscape setting. He is holding a staff and appears to be looking off to the side with a somber expression. The painting is a prime example of Lepoittevin's work and his focus on capturing the lives of ordinary people, often in rural settings. The painting is a small one, measuring only 16 cm x 21.5 cm x 5.5 cm. The use of light and shadow, along with the realistic details of the boy's clothing and the landscape, adds to the overall sense of realism and gives a glimpse into the life of a young herdsman.