Twee Schotse herders in een ruïne 1828

This print, "Two Scottish Shepherds in a Ruin" was created by Jules David in the 19th century, at a time when Scotland was being romanticized as a land of rugged landscapes and simple folk. The image presents us with shepherds within the crumbling remains of what appears to be an abbey. In the 19th century, the Scottish Highlands were undergoing significant social change, including the Highland Clearances, where many rural communities were evicted from their land to make way for sheep farming. In the print, the shepherds seem at peace, but there is a sense of melancholy. The romantic portrayal of rural life can be seen as both a celebration and an elegy for a way of life that was rapidly disappearing. The ruin becomes a metaphor for the fading traditions and the loss of community in the face of economic and social change. David’s image reflects the complex relationship between romanticism, identity, and the harsh realities of history. It invites us to consider how representations of rural life can carry layers of longing, loss, and a yearning for a simpler past.