Pastorale voorstelling aan een rivier 1655

Gesina ter Borch created this watercolour pastoral scene in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-17th century. The image presents an idealised vision of rural life. We see shepherds tending their flock by a river, while a flute player serenades a woman holding a staff. But beyond the surface lies a world of social codes and cultural references. The rise of the Dutch Republic saw an explosion of wealth and the growth of a powerful merchant class. The pastoral genre became a way for the urban elite to project their desires onto the countryside. Ter Borch's image, with its focus on leisure and harmony, reflects this yearning for a simpler existence. The image presents the Dutch countryside as a haven of tranquility, a counterpoint to the bustling cities. It is interesting to note that Ter Borch herself never married and dedicated herself to art. She was from an artistic family, and it is worth considering the social place of women artists at this time. To truly understand this image, we need to delve into the social and institutional history of the Dutch Golden Age. By consulting historical archives and contemporary writings, we can uncover the complex web of meanings embedded in this seemingly simple scene.