Jongen met geiten 1700 - 1800

Hans Aarsen’s etching presents us with a scene dominated by a boy and several goats. The composition, rendered in detailed lines and gradations of light and shadow, immediately draws one into a world of rustic simplicity. The structure of the work relies on a contrast between the human and animal forms. The boy, perched atop one of the goats, is depicted playing a pipe, his figure forming a diagonal line that cuts across the more horizontal and static bodies of the goats. This interplay of lines creates a dynamic tension, destabilizing any sense of pastoral harmony. The detailed cross-hatching, particularly evident in the rendering of the goats' fur and the boy's clothing, not only adds texture but also serves as a semiotic system. Aarsen's work engages with the philosophical notion of the relationship between humans and nature, challenging conventional representations of pastoral life. It suggests a deeper interrogation of the power dynamics inherent in this relationship. It invites us to reconsider the boundaries between the natural and the cultivated.