Signed in the lower right corner (by Belgian artist “J. L. Van Leemputten”), this antique pastoral sheep painting is from the late 1800’s. The peaceful scene of a shepherdess in a red dress with a white bonnet and apron with her seven sheep is surrounded by a giltwood frame adorned with olive leaves, fluted cavetto molding, and a border of repeating roundels. Cloud coverage has helped create a beautiful sunset, rendering a pink, blue, yellow, and orange sky. There are rolling hills in the background as the flock and its herdswoman stop by a tall tree next to the dirt road surrounded by lush grass.

Jef (Joseph) Louis Van Leemputten was a Belgian artist born in 1865 in the small village of Werchter. Known for painting landscapes and animals, Van Leemputten was an established “Realist” whose father, Jean Baptiste Van Leemputten, was also an established painter. The younger Van Leemputten studied under Charles Verlat, the famed Belgian artist.

CONDITION: Good antique condition with minor age separations to the frame and light craquelure to the canvas. Some scratches and rubs to the frame, which has been rigged with an eyelet in the back for hanging purposes. Please see photos for details.