Study for -The Descent of the Cattle- 1834

This pencil drawing by Theodore Rousseau is a preparatory study for his painting *The Descent of the Cattle*. The artwork was created in 1834, a time when Rousseau was developing his signature style of landscape painting. This study focuses on the composition and the light and shadow effects that would later be seen in the final painting, capturing the essence of the French countryside. This intimate drawing, with its loose and gestural lines, provides a glimpse into the artist's creative process and the evolution of his artistic vision.