Herders met de kudde 1613 - 1695

Curator: At the Rijksmuseum, we’re standing before an engraving titled “Herders met de Kudde,” or “Herdsmen with the Herd,” attributed to Nicolas Perelle, dating somewhere between 1613 and 1695. What's your first take on this scene? Editor: It’s giving me fairytale vibes, you know? Like a dreamy scene right out of a storybook, even a little solemn. The details make you want to just wander right in there, though maybe bring a flashlight. Curator: The composition employs a clear foreground, middle ground, and background to construct spatial depth. Note the tonal gradations, achieved solely through the meticulous application of line, which help separate these zones. How do you feel about Perelle's tonal gradations in relation to that initial "dreamy" response? Editor: You’re totally right, the light and shadow are amazing. See how the light catches on those sheep in the front? That focus sort of enhances that slightly unreal vibe; a simple shepherd's life, presented in a pretty glorious way. The soft greys and deep blacks definitely contribute to the atmosphere, almost gothic in a pastoral way, and the textural variety Perelle conjures is captivating.. Curator: Yes, look closely. We observe not just lines, but areas where cross-hatching is deployed to deepen shadows. The genre element blends almost seamlessly into the larger Baroque landscape tradition—note, for example, the strategic placement of trees framing the open vista beyond. Editor: That castle in the back seems pulled out of a childhood fantasy! That definitely reinforces the atmosphere of storytelling for me. It makes me wonder about the people in Perelle’s life, their connection to folklore, maybe the tales told around a warm fire on dark evenings… Curator: Indeed, this speaks to the artwork’s complex dialogue between structure and expression, order and emotional evocation, that's so evident within Baroque aesthetics. We shouldn’t simplify such a dialectic. Editor: Totally! And now it sort of makes me want to go write a whole scene for a story... The landscape just begs you to project emotions and narrative onto it. It seems the Baroque does too! Curator: It is fascinating how these visual structures solicit imaginative engagement, particularly considering their cultural moment. Thank you for enriching my viewing experience with that perspective! Editor: My pleasure. It always fascinates me how artworks speak across time; so glad we could give that engraving another voice.