Rivierlandschap met spelende figuren 1659 - 1695

Jean-Baptiste Corneille created this landscape with playing figures using etching techniques in the late 17th century. Corneille, who lived in a time of strict social hierarchies, invites us to see a timeless scene of leisure. In the foreground, we see figures engaged in simple play by the water's edge, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and distant mountains. In his landscape, Corneille references idealized versions of nature rather than faithful records. Landscapes during this period often carried cultural and nationalistic overtones. They weren’t just about pretty scenery, they were about expressing ownership and identity. Although the figures seem to be from different classes, they co-mingle. This choice blurs the lines of traditional representations. Corneille's work encourages us to consider the emotional connections and shared experiences that transcend social status. The etching becomes a poignant statement about human connection amidst the structured world.