Herder met een kudde schapen 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve created this sketch of a shepherd with a flock of sheep using graphite on paper. It’s a quick study, more about capturing form and composition than any kind of refined detail. The starkness of the graphite emphasizes the bare essence of the scene. The artist is less interested in portraying the individual animals or the landscape, but rather the relationship of labor, animal, and land. Here, the humble materials allow Mauve to focus on the fundamental elements of pastoral life. The paper itself plays a crucial role, its texture interacting with the graphite to create subtle tonal variations. It bears witness to the artist's fleeting thoughts, and the directness of the medium brings us closer to the act of creation. By valuing this sketch we acknowledge the importance of all stages of creative work, and understand that a rapidly made drawing can also offer profound insights into both art and the world it represents.