Peasant with Cattle and Shepherd Tending Sheep c. 18th century

Curator: Here we have Pellegrino dal Colle's "Peasant with Cattle and Shepherd Tending Sheep." The Harvard Art Museums hold this print. Editor: It's a bucolic scene, bathed in sepia tones. The shepherd dozes, almost blending into the tree, while his animals seem undisturbed. The scale feels...off, though? Curator: It speaks to a romanticized view of rural life, popular in the late 18th century. Dal Colle likely aimed to portray an idealized version of pastoral existence for an urban audience. Editor: I'm drawn to the printmaking technique itself. The lines are quite delicate. You can almost feel the texture of the paper, and imagine the labor involved in creating the plates. Curator: Such images played a significant role in shaping perceptions of the countryside, reinforcing social hierarchies while offering an escape from industrializing cities. Editor: And the animals, central to the peasant's livelihood, are rendered with a care that elevates their status beyond mere property. Curator: It’s fascinating to see how such works both reflected and influenced societal values of the time. Editor: Absolutely, and examining the choices around process and labor gives new perspective on this rural idyll.