The artwork titled “Pastoral Landscape with a Mill,” created by Claude Lorrain in 1634, is an oil painting on canvas. This work, representative of the Classicism art movement, measures 59.1 by 82.9 cm and belongs to the pastoral genre. It is presently housed in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles, California, United States.
In the artwork, Claude Lorrain masterfully portrays a serene pastoral scene, where the tranquility of rural life is depicted with sublime natural detail. The composition features a mill nestled amidst lush, verdant foliage, with a gentle, winding stream enhancing the idyllic setting. Two figures are present in the foreground, engaged in a leisurely activity, likely tending to a small flock of sheep scattered around. Towering trees frame the scene delicately, their leaves rendered with meticulous attention to texture and shade, leading the eye towards a distant, hilly landscape under a vast, partly clouded sky. The pastoral theme, combined with Lorrain’s adept use of light and perspective, creates an atmosphere of peace and timeless beauty.
