Rustende herder bij Schloss Lansberg 1839

Barend Cornelis Koekkoek made this watercolor called, "Resting Shepherd at Schloss Landsberg," in 1829. The subdued palette has an earthiness which is appropriate to its subject. Koekkoek here gives us a landscape that is ostensibly about country life, as we see by the shepherd. Yet, in the background we can admire the Schloss Landsberg castle: a symbol of wealth, power, and authority. He was part of a long tradition of artists painting “picturesque” landscapes. The ready availability of paper and watercolor paints made landscape painting a common artistic outlet in the 19th century. Indeed, Koekkoek even started a painting academy in 1841, explicitly dedicated to landscape painting. In this context, the medium itself speaks to the cultural values of the time. Ultimately, Koekkoek’s image offers us a window into the complex relationship between labor, leisure, and the romanticized vision of rural life, reminding us to consider the social context embedded within seemingly simple artistic choices.