The Flight into Egypt with a Shepherd Watching from Behind a Tree

Gaetano Zompini, after Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a pastoral scene with a tree slightly right of center, a woman riding a donkey with an infant, a man walking beside them, another man leaning on the tree, and cattle and sheep crossing a small bridge guided by a shepherd. In the background are hills, sparse trees, a low horizon, sky with clouds, and fine linework typical of etching with cross-hatching creating depth. A monochromatic palette of various shades of brown evokes a timeless and tranquil rural ambiance.