A wonderful small and highly detailed oil on wooden panel painting by Belgian artist Eugene Joseph Verboeckhoven (1798-1881) depicting a landscape with sheep, chickens, shepherd and shepherdess. The central image is that of a ram (male bighorn sheep) along with a ewe and baby lamb. The ewe gently nuzzles the lamb with an anthropomorphic look of affection and love. On the left side of the painting in the foreground there is a rooster, hen and chick, and on the right side is a shepherd and shepherdess, perhaps considering starting a family of their own. On the right side of the painting over the woman’s shoulder is a small village.

The painting measures 8 1/4” x 11 3/4” and with the frame measures 14 1/8” x 17 3/8”. The frame is in very good condition with an artist name plaque. The painting appears to have been cleaned and has touch-up or in-painting in several areas throughout the panel, but appears to have been professionally done, resulting in an attractive work by the artist.

The artist is listed in multiple art databases with many records of past sales. His record price in auction is $275,491.

Biography from Aucitonata:

Eugène Verboeckhoven (1799-1881) The Belgian painter Eugène Joseph Verboeckhoven was trained in drawing and embossing by his father, the sculptor Barthélemy Verboeckhoven. In 1847, he established a studio in Brussels, where he painted numerous animal depictions, particularly landscapes with sheep. His paintings are characterized by a careful drawing. In addition to his paintings, Verboeckhoven also has etched animal depictions. Works by Verboeckhoven are on display in numerous major museum collections, including the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Royal Collection in London, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas.

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