An 18th-century etching by Jean Baptiste Michel, reproducing a pastoral scene by Carlo Cignani for the Houghton Gallery collection.

This fine art print is an etching and engraving by Jean Baptiste Michel, published in London in 1775. It reproduces an original painting by Carlo Cignani, which was held in the collection at Houghton Hall. The composition depicts a pastoral scene featuring a nymph and a shepherd, accompanied by two infants and a goat. The shepherd plays a flute, while the nymph gazes towards him, creating a sense of quiet intimacy. The infants interact with the goat, adding a playful element to the classical arrangement.

Michel, a French engraver who spent much of his career in London, was known for his technical precision in translating the tonal qualities of oil paintings into the medium of print. This work was produced for John Boydell, a significant figure in the eighteenth-century British print trade who sought to make the contents of major private collections accessible to a wider audience. The engraving captures the soft modelling of the figures and the textures of the drapery and animal fur through a variety of line weights and cross-hatching techniques. The background remains relatively simple, ensuring the focus stays on the central group of figures. The inclusion of the publication details at the base of the print, noting its origin in the Houghton Gallery, provides historical context regarding the provenance of the original work and the commercial nature of print production during this period. This piece offers a clear example of the eighteenth-century interest in classical themes and the dissemination of European art through high-quality reproductive engraving.