Landschap met een herder en een kudde schapen c. 1811

This landscape with a shepherd and flock of sheep was drawn by Andreas Schelfhout using pen in brown ink. The artist has used simple materials to depict the rural scene. The drawing’s sepia tones gives the image a warmth and depth, contrasting with the relative sparseness of the medium itself. Schelfhout expertly utilizes the pen to create subtle variations in tone and texture. Look closely and you’ll notice the detailed rendering of the trees, foliage, and the woolly sheep, achieved through delicate cross-hatching and fine lines. The choice of subject matter and the drawing medium is interesting. Landscape paintings were becoming increasingly popular in the 19th century, reflecting a growing interest in nature and the countryside. At this time, drawing was often seen as a preliminary step in the production of more ‘finished’ artworks like paintings. Yet here, it becomes an artwork in its own right. Focusing on the materials, making, and social context of art helps us appreciate its full meaning, challenging the traditional divide between fine art and craft.