herd of sheep. 1862-1864 9, 6h21, 5 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a pastoral scene dominated by a large flock of sheep grazing in what appears to be a gently undulating landscape. The composition is horizontal and expansive, emphasizing the breadth of the terrain and the sheer number of animals present. Here we see a dense cluster of sheep occupying the central foreground, their forms rendered with quick, economical strokes that capture their bulk and posture as they feed. They are depicted in various positions – some standing, others grazing low to the ground, creating a sense of natural movement and activity within the herd.
Two figures, presumably shepherds, stand at opposite ends of the composition. The shepherd on the left is positioned slightly behind the flock, holding what appears to be a staff or crook. The figure on the right stands further back, also with a staff, observing the sheep. Their placement suggests a sense of guardianship and control over the animals, yet their distance from the central mass implies a certain detachment as well.
The artist employed a monochromatic palette, relying solely on tonal variations to define form and create depth. The use of hatching and cross-hatching is evident in the rendering of the sheep’s woolly coats and the contours of the landscape, contributing to a textured surface quality. Light seems to originate from above, casting subtle shadows that delineate the shapes of the animals and ground.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of rural life, the drawing hints at deeper subtexts. The sheer volume of sheep could be interpreted as symbolic of abundance or even overwhelming numbers. The shepherds’ presence introduces themes of responsibility, labor, and perhaps a quiet contemplation of natures rhythms. The vastness of the landscape suggests a connection to something larger than human control – an acknowledgement of the power and scale of the natural world. There is a sense of tranquility in the scene, but also a subtle undercurrent of isolation conveyed by the figures’ distance from one another and their solitary roles within the expansive environment.