Soldaat en een boer 1727 - 1755

Francois Boucher created this print called Soldaat en een boer, or Soldier and a Farmer, sometime in the 18th century. Boucher, as a court painter for Louis XV, was a significant figure in the Rococo movement, a style characterized by its opulence, eroticism, and departure from serious subject matter. In this piece, we see a soldier sitting on the ground while a farmer sits above him on a fence. It's an intimate and informal portrayal of individuals from different social strata, reflecting the Enlightenment's growing interest in humanity across classes. Although class differences are visible in the image, the artwork has a relaxed, amiable mood that speaks to the century's changing social landscape. There's a sense of approachability and a softening of formerly rigid social divisions in the scene. This drawing invites us to reflect on the personal relationships that can transcend social barriers, as well as the evolving class dynamics of the eighteenth century.