Flemish painter in Rome, 17th century, Armenti

Flemish painter in Rome, 17th century

Herds

Oil on canvas, 63 x 48 cm

Frame, 66 x 82 cm

This painting offers a classic example of Flemish landscape painting in Rome, blending the Nordic tradition with Italian surroundings and light. The scene is dominated by a tranquil pastoral setting, where nature and animals are the true protagonists. The entire composition is pervaded by a diffuse, almost golden light that creates a serene atmosphere. In the background, the sky is tinged with dark clouds, but the light penetrates, illuminating the landscape and giving depth to the scene. On the right, sitting on a rocky ledge, a shepherd rests, a wide-brimmed hat partially hiding his face. Nearby, a dog watches him, adding a touch of everyday life. In the foreground, the animals are the focus of the painting: two cows, a white horse with dark spots silhouetted against the sky, an ox, and several goats, forming a sort of "living still life." In this case, the painter has reworked themes already present in Rome, such as grazing animals, which had been extensively explored by the so-called "Bamboccianti." Unlike the latter, however, he applied the models of Northern European painting, characterized by meticulous attention to detail and a more elaborate composition. The scene is dominated by animals, which are not mere background elements, but true protagonists, depicted with lively realism and an almost monumental dignity. In the 17th century, a group of Flemish and Dutch artists emigrated to Rome, bringing with them a profound sensitivity to landscape painting and the depiction of the natural world. Although landscape was not considered a high-ranking genre in the Italian artistic hierarchy, these Northern European painters, such as Pieter van Bloemen and Philipp Peter Roos, pioneered a new type of pastoral scene that blended the realist tradition of the North with the atmosphere and ruins of the Roman countryside. Their art focused on rural life, animals, and the relationship between man and nature, offering a new and intimate perspective that differed from the grand themes of historical and religious painting.