Pablo (Pierre) Martinez Del Rio was born in 1838 and was part of the famous Barbizon school of painters.

The Barbizon was a movement toward realism, and got its name from the small town of Barbizon, where these painters gathered. Martinez was well known for his ‘animalier’ scenes, and many of his works can be seen in several French museums today. This serene landscape painting depicts a sheepherder with his flock of sheep and faithful sheepdog in a clearing. The dog is gazing intently at the smiling sheepherder in anticipation of his next command, while the sheep blissfully take in the rays of sun and scenery. They are standing next to a pond which is surrounded by a grove of trees, and in the background , is a farmhouse with smoke rising from the chimney. As was the case with most of his paintings, the painting is simply signed with his last name, Martinez. The frame is giltwood in a transitional style.