Herder en herderin 1655 - 1700

This is Jan van Somer’s etching of a shepherd and shepherdess in an idyllic landscape. The pair is surrounded by symbolic objects, each carrying echoes of deeper cultural meanings. Note the prominent fountain, crowned by a grotesque, fish-like figure. Fountains, historically, have been symbols of life-giving abundance and purification. But here, this idea is twisted. The grotesque figure distorts the fountain’s life-giving symbolism, suggesting that beauty and purity are always haunted by darker, chaotic forces. Think of similar figures in ancient Roman fountains, or even gargoyles perched on Gothic cathedrals. The shepherd’s flute introduces a musical element, reminiscent of the pastoral tradition of idealized rural life. In contrast, the presence of a dog alludes to loyalty, protection, and the natural world. All of these symbols invoke our collective memories, reminding us of humanity’s complex relationship with nature. It is a recurring motif in the human psyche.