European school of the 18th century.

European School of the XVIII century.
"River scene with shepherds".
Oil on panel.
Signed and dated on the lower left.
Measurements: 63 x 85 cm.

We are before an exquisite pictorial work of Central European invoice and pastoral theme. The author denotes mastery both in the representation of the landscape and in the treatment of the human and animal figure. Resolved with bucolic sensibility, the scene unfolds a peaceful vision of rural life, where nature and human activity coexist in perfect harmony. In the foreground, a small group of shepherds lead their livestock (cows, sheep and goats) to the river to water. The arrangement of the livestock and their reflection in the water reveal a remarkable mastery of light and atmospheric perspective, while the gesticulating figure of the shepherd seems to endow the scene with a subtle narrative dynamism.

A rustic wooden bridge crosses the river, connecting the two banks and guiding the eye to the background, where rural buildings with thatched roofs and light walls, probably barns or peasant dwellings, stand. To the right, a tree of considerable size balances the composition and adds depth with its meticulously worked foliage. The sky, treated with delicate glazes and soft chromatic gradations, dominates a large part of the canvas, evoking a serene and luminous atmosphere. The cottony clouds and the sifted light suggest an evening scene, contributing to the contemplative tone of the work.