“The Roman Campagna” is an oil painting created by Claude Lorrain in 1639 in Italy. An exemplar of the Classicism movement, this landscape measures 101.6 by 135.9 centimeters.
The artwork presents a peaceful pastoral scene with a gradual transition from the dark shadows of the foreground to the luminous sky in the background. On the left, an old structure with an arched entrance stands partly obscured by a massive, sprawling tree whose branches weave into the sky. In the foreground, several grazing cattle and goats are depicted with a shepherd resting nearby, adding a sense of rural life. The gentle hills and a serene river, reflecting the sky’s light, draw the viewer’s eye to the distant horizon, where the faint outlines of additional structures and a small boat can be seen. The tranquil scene is imbued with the harmony and balance that are characteristic of Classicism.
