The artwork, titled “River Landscape with Rustic Lovers,” was created by Thomas Gainsborough in 1781. Executed in oil on canvas, it belongs to the Rococo art movement. This genre painting, measuring 122 by 163 cm, is a part of a private collection.
The artwork portrays a serene rural scene bathed in the golden light of dawn or dusk. In the foreground, a bridge arches over a tranquil river, crossed by a herd of livestock, including cows and sheep, guided by a farmer. To the left, two rustic lovers are depicted engrossed in conversation, adding a touch of human warmth and intimacy to the landscape. The backdrop features a dilapidated stone structure enveloped in lush foliage, with distant hills under a softly illuminated sky. Gainsborough’s skillful use of color and light highlights the textures and forms of the natural setting, imbuing the scene with a delicate and harmonious atmosphere characteristic of the Rococo style.
