The artwork, “Sheepfold in the Tirol” by John Singer Sargent, created in 1915, is a watercolor painting on paper. This piece, emanating from the Realism movement, measures 71.1 by 91.44 cm and belongs to the landscape genre.
In “Sheepfold in the Tirol,” Sargent captures a serene rural scene set against the majestic backdrop of the Tyrolean mountains. The painting depicts a pen filled with sheep, surrounded by rustic wooden fences that guide the viewer’s eye into the expansive valley and up towards the rugged mountain slopes. The landscape, meticulously rendered in rich, natural hues, offers a tranquil yet grand portrayal of pastoral life. The imposing mountain range, enveloped in a soft light with an overcast sky, creates a stark but harmonious contrast with the textured greens and browns of the lower pastures. This carefully composed watercolor reflects Sargent’s acute observation skills and his ability to translate the sublime beauty of nature onto paper with realistic and vivid detail.