Landscape with Castle and Shepherds

This landscape illustrates the sublime beauty of nature, a Romantic concept, but it also reflects the importance of classical training in Rome. Throughout the 19th century, artists flocked to Italy to study classical ruins and themes, as well as landscapes. Here, the castle evokes Northern Italian fortresses, and in the tradition of other French artists traveling to Rome, Michallon imbued his rendering of the Alps with great emotion.