Dutch landscape with sheep

Oil on panel | Signed and dated 1839 | Dimensions: H 17 x W 20 cm
This intimate landscape painting by the renowned Belgian animal painter Eugène Verboeckhoven captures a tranquil rural scene featuring three sheep in the foreground: a standing black lamb, a reclining ewe, and a resting white lamb. The animals are depicted with Verboeckhoven’s characteristic attention to anatomical detail and soft, textured wool, set against a luminous sky with billowing clouds.
To the right, rustic wooden fencing and a cut log inscribed with the date “1839” and the artist’s signature anchor the composition, while a small bird perches atop a post, adding a gentle narrative touch. In the distance, a flock of sheep grazes, emphasizing the pastoral calm and expansiveness of the landscape.
Verboeckhoven was celebrated for his ability to combine precise realism with a serene, almost poetic atmosphere. This small work exemplifies his mastery in rendering both animal character and the subtleties of natural light.