Pastoral Scene with Shepherd and Shepherdess
Textile artwork, needlepoint on canvas • Anonymous artisan; likely produced from a commercial pattern or kit following Italian textile traditions
Style & Movement
Rococo Revival / Neo-Classical Decorative Art
Medium & Technique
Wool yarn and silk thread on needlepoint canvas using tent stitch (petit point) and basketweave stitch
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1940-1960)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 16 x 20 inches; horizontal rectangular format
Subject Description
A classic pastoral or 'fête galante' scene depicting a young couple in 18th-century attire seated in a lush landscape. A shepherd and shepherdess are accompanied by a small lamb foreground right, with a river and distant mountains suggesting an idealized Italian or Arcadian countryside.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; colors remain relatively vibrant with minimal fading and no visible holes or frayed edges
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Private collection; likely purchased as finished art or a high-quality kit in Italy during the mid-century period of heightened interest in hand-worked household textiles
Art Historical Significance
Represents the mid-century revival of Rococo 18th-century aesthetics (specifically following the style of Francois Boucher or Jean-Honoré Fragonard) popular in home decor during the 1950s and 60s.
Notable Features
Delicate transition of colors (shading) in the sky and foliage; high stitch density indicating a finer 'petit point' quality than standard upholstery needlework
Condition Issues
Mild age-related yellowing of the surrounding mat; possible light UV fading of blue and green pigments in the sky and foliage
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight; consider re-matting with acid-free museum board and UV-protective glass to prevent further fiber degradation
Collector Notes
Needle point Italy