Ideal Landscape with Sleeping Shepherd and Sheep 1790 - 1805

Heinrich Theodor Wehle’s etching “Ideal Landscape with Sleeping Shepherd and Sheep” (1790-1805) depicts a serene pastoral scene with a sleeping shepherd and his flock of sheep nestled beneath a large oak tree. The artist's meticulous detail in depicting the trees, the flowing stream, and the sheep create a sense of tranquility and natural beauty, which was popular in 19th century art. The image is a quintessential example of the Romantic era's fascination with nature and the idyllic countryside. The etching is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.