Du Jardin, who made several journeys to Italy, has made the Mediterranean heat of this Italian landscape almost tangible. The shepherd boy lies languidly playing with his dog. He is taking a break, as his horse is grazing peacefully and his provisions are ready to eat.
Du Jardin has not chosen the easiest way to depict the shepherd: at right angles to the picture plane. However, he has managed to solve the perspective problems excellently.