Anton Mauve
, Dutch, 1838-1888
Title
Shepherd and SheepDatec.1885-1888
MediumOil on panel
Dimensions
33 x 41 cm
Signedlower right: A Mauve
Credit LinePresented, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, 1950
Object numberNGI.4257
DescriptionAnton Mauve dedicated his career to painting rural scenes in his native Holland. His pictures of sheep were hugely popular with American collectors and were priced according to whether the sheep were depicted as 'coming' or 'going'; the former being the more expensive option.It is thought that he painted this work at Laren, where he settled in 1885. It shows a shepherd patiently tending his grazing flock. Through his use of subdued light and colouring Mauve sympathetically evokes the quietude of country life.
Mauve was married to Vincent Van Gogh’s cousin and he acted as an early mentor to the younger artist. Van Gogh said that Mauve had enlightened him to the mysteries of the palette. His influence may be observed in the grey-brown tones, low horizon and cloud effects found in early works by Van Gogh such as 'Rooftops in Paris' (1886; NGI.2007.2).
Exhibition HistoryShades of Grey: Painting without Colour, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 22 June - 29 September 2013
Label TextMauve was a leading member of The Hague School. He was married to Van Gogh’s cousin and acted as an early mentor to the younger artist. Mauve’s pictures of sheep were very popular with American collectors. They were priced according to whether the sheep were depicted coming or going, the former being the more expensive option! Mauve is likely to have painted this work at Laren where he settled in 1885. It shows an elderly shepherd tending his flock. Through his use of subdued light and colouring, Mauve sympathetically evokes the quietude of country life.