Reclining Sheep in a Landscape 1759 - 1782

Francesco Londonio rendered "Reclining Sheep in a Landscape" using pen and brown ink with white gouache on a brownish paper. Notice how Londonio uses line and form to create a pastoral scene, imbuing it with a sense of serene observation. The composition is divided into two distinct registers; the upper section features detailed studies of reclining sheep, their woolly textures meticulously described with delicate strokes of white gouache, contrasted against the brown ink. Below, a looser sketch of more sheep suggests depth and distance through simplified forms. Londonio's technique reflects a broader artistic interest in naturalism and the close study of the animal form. The drawing's structure—detailed above and sketch-like below—invites us to consider the dual nature of artistic representation. It is both a precise record and an interpretive act. The interplay between these elements underscores the drawing’s aesthetic and intellectual complexity.