Goatherd of the Abruzzi c. 1845

Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps made 'Goatherd of the Abruzzi’ using oil paints on canvas. Decamps worked in a period when artists journeyed to foreign lands in search of inspiration and authenticity. Here, the artist depicts a goatherd in the rugged landscape of the Abruzzi region in Italy. The making of this painting involved stretching the canvas, preparing the surface with gesso, mixing pigments with oil, and applying the paint in layers. The material quality of oil paint allows for rich colors and detailed textures, which Decamps uses to capture the textures of the goatherd's clothing and the rough terrain. Decamps's approach to painting reflects a romanticized view of rural life, far removed from the industrializing cities. The goatherd, with his traditional clothing and simple tools, symbolizes a way of life untouched by modernity. However, the painting itself is a product of a sophisticated artistic process. It was intended for an urban art market interested in picturesque scenes of distant lands and cultures. Understanding this context helps us see how Decamps combined a fascination with the ‘authentic’ with the realities of 19th-century art production and consumption.