Bergachtig landschap met herder en vee bij rivier 1761 - 1784

Johannes Janson etched this mountainous landscape with a shepherd and cattle by a river in the 18th century. The tranquil scene is dominated by the motif of the shepherd, a figure that resonates deeply within the collective psyche. Consider, the shepherd is not merely a caretaker of livestock; he embodies ideas of pastoral simplicity. We find his antecedents in ancient Arcadia, a symbol of idyllic existence, and in Christian iconography, where Christ is often portrayed as the Good Shepherd, guiding his flock. Notice how this image of the shepherd has persisted, adapted, and resurfaced in diverse cultural contexts. This etching evokes a sense of longing for simpler times, a yearning that echoes across centuries. The shepherd, then, is a powerful emblem of continuity, reminding us of the enduring human quest for harmony with nature and spiritual guidance.