Peasant Leaning Against a Wall c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Ferdinand Kobell's "Peasant Leaning Against a Wall." It’s an etching, and the figure seems quite weary. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The image reflects the romanticized view of rural life that was becoming popular. Artists presented the peasant as simple, honest and closely tied to the land. Do you see any glorification here, or perhaps some social commentary? Editor: I see the figure's posture as maybe a commentary on working conditions. It seems to carry a somber mood. Curator: Exactly! Consider also who the intended audience was for prints like these. Urban dwellers, perhaps, who were developing a sentimental attachment to an idealized countryside. Editor: That makes so much sense. It gives a completely different meaning to the artwork. Curator: It does, doesn’t it? Art often reflects not just the subject, but also the desires and anxieties of its viewers.