Shepherd and Shepherdess near a Pool c. 1780

Editor: This is Egbert van Drielst's "Shepherd and Shepherdess near a Pool." It's a drawing, and it creates such a serene atmosphere. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Consider how idealized pastoral scenes like this served the interests of the Dutch elite in the late 18th century. How might this image reinforce notions of a harmonious social order? Editor: So, it's not just a pretty picture, but also a reflection of the powers that be? Curator: Precisely. Think about how this idyllic representation of rural life contrasts with the social and economic realities of the time. Editor: It makes you wonder about the unseen stories, the ones not being represented. Curator: Exactly! Art often reflects what society chooses to value, and sometimes, what it chooses to ignore. Editor: I’ll definitely look at art differently now. Curator: That is the goal!