Shepherds and Sheep 

David Teniers the Younger created this pastoral scene with oil on canvas. Teniers was not just a painter, but also a dealer, so this work reflects his deep understanding of the art market. Here, the rough canvas texture is brought to life with thick, expressive brushstrokes. Notice the earthy pigments, and the way Teniers builds up layers of paint to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The scene depicts the daily labor of shepherds, a subject that allowed Teniers to explore themes of rural life. The artist’s technique, while seemingly straightforward, subtly elevates the scene. The active shepherd and the animals contrast with the figure resting at the left of the composition. By focusing on such subjects, Teniers blurred the lines between high art and genre painting. This reminds us that an artwork's value lies not only in its subject matter, but also in the artist's skilled manipulation of materials and the social context in which it was created.