1643 Claude Lorrain, The Ford, First State, Old Master Etching, genre

Claude Lorrain

The Ford (Le passage du gué), 1634.

Image/plate: 10.5 × 17.2 cm (4 3/16 × 6 13/16 in.)

Etching on ivory laid paper

Literature: Robert-Dumesnil 3, I (von III); Blum 8, I (von III); Russell 1982, Nr. 18, I (von III). 

First State. Rich inking.

Some light even age toning to paper. Minor paper thinning and discoloration to top two corners (from earlier mounting).

One of the few night pieces in the artist's 43-sheet graphic oeuvre, which, as we know, was influenced by the landscape paintings of A. Elsheimer (1578-1610). No other etching by Claude is spatially so limited as this figural scene laid out like a frieze. The drawing style with tightly curled and hatched strokes makes the depiction difficult to read. The symmetrically distributed figures and animals occupy a large space. Above this appear the landscape elements: a framing, gristly tree in the foreground, an arched bridge above the woman seated in front, a crowning tree in the center above the striding figure, and a restricted view with a flat hill over the parallel backs of the cow and goats. Some shapes are reflected in the water. Comparable shepherd motifs appear in Claude's early shepherd landscapes and in the album of animal sketches [.]" (quoted from: Exhib. catalogue: In the light of Claude Lorrain. Haus der Kunst, Munich 1983, p. 147, no. 84 with ill.).