Shepherdess Riding on a Donkey, plate 2 from Four Landscapes c. 1649s

Cornelis Visscher created this print, *Shepherdess Riding on a Donkey*, as part of his *Four Landscapes* series in the mid-17th century. During this period, the Dutch Golden Age, the Netherlands saw an increase in depictions of everyday life and ordinary people. Here, we see a woman elevated on a donkey, guided by a male figure who appears to be of a lower class. This composition reflects the social hierarchies of the time, yet there is a sense of naturalism that perhaps challenges the formality of traditional portraiture. How does the shepherdess feel about her position? Is she empowered by it, or is she merely fulfilling a role dictated by societal expectations? Visscher invites us to consider the nuances of these relationships within the rural Dutch landscape. The landscape in the print is both idyllic and functional, hinting at the labor and management required to maintain such scenery. The presence of animals suggests a pastoral harmony, but also raises questions about human control over nature. What emotions does this evoke in you?