Three Studies of a little Shepherd 1630 - 1691

Aelbert Cuyp created this drawing, "Three Studies of a Little Shepherd," using pen and brown ink with grey wash. The eye is drawn to the resting figures first. Their placement on the left, combined with the darker wash, gives them more visual weight. They appear to be slumped on a hillside which contrasts sharply with the standing figure on the right. Cuyp uses the stark contrast of light and shadow to distinguish the two groups. The sleeping shepherd boys are vulnerable, yet the standing figure projects an air of alertness. This contrast can be seen as a commentary on the different states of being and awareness. The use of monochromatic tones encourages us to focus on form and tonal relationships. The drawing offers us a glimpse into the daily lives and social conditions of the rural working class. The formal structure employed by Cuyp invites endless interpretation and reflection.