Villagers' rest 1800 - 1829

"Villagers' Rest" is an etching by Jean Louis de Marne, also known as Demarnette, created between 1800 and 1829. The artwork depicts a pastoral scene with villagers resting under a tree, while a shepherd plays a flute. The scene is populated with farm animals, including a cow, goats, and sheep. The etching is executed in a delicate, detailed style, characteristic of Demarnette's work. The artwork, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcases the artist's interest in portraying rural life and the tranquility of nature. The piece is a poignant example of the genre of pastoral art, popular in the late 18th and 19th centuries, which idealized rural life and celebrated the beauty of nature.