image 134 National Museum of Women in the Arts

The drawing presents a pastoral scene rendered in stark black lines against a white background. A group of sheep dominates the foreground, their forms delineated with a confident, almost crude simplicity. They are clustered together, creating a dense mass that occupies much of the lower portion of the composition. The artist has emphasized their rounded bodies and expressive faces, suggesting a degree of individual character within the collective.
Behind the flock, a gently sloping landscape unfolds. A series of undulating hills recede into the distance, punctuated by sparse trees and what appear to be scattered structures – perhaps farm buildings or dwellings. These elements are rendered with less detail than the sheep, contributing to a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective. The sky is suggested through horizontal lines that define the horizon line, creating a feeling of openness above the immediate scene.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette contributes significantly to its mood. The absence of color focuses attention on the forms themselves and their relationships within the composition. The stark contrast between black and white amplifies the sense of graphic clarity and lends an almost primitive quality to the work.
Subtly, there is a feeling of isolation conveyed by the scene. While the sheep are grouped together, they appear somewhat detached from the landscape behind them. The sparseness of the buildings and trees reinforces this impression, suggesting a remote and perhaps lonely setting. The artist’s deliberate simplification of forms could be interpreted as an attempt to distill the essence of rural life – its quiet rhythms and inherent solitude. The work evokes a sense of timelessness, hinting at a connection to traditional pastoral imagery while maintaining a distinct visual identity through its graphic style.