Stående italiensk hyrde 1840

"Stående italiensk hyrde" (Standing Italian Shepherd) is a pencil sketch by Danish artist Martinus Rørbye, dating back to 1840. The drawing, now housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, depicts a shepherd with a staff, rendered in delicate lines against a plain background. Rørbye, known for his travel sketches and landscapes, captures the figure in a relaxed posture, showcasing his ability to portray the human form with grace and simplicity. The small dimensions of the work, measuring just 97 mm by 59 mm, emphasize its intimate nature and suggest it may have been a preliminary study for a larger work.