Boslandschap met twee mannen achter kudde 1673 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle created this landscape etching, "Boslandschap met twee mannen achter kudde," in the 17th century. The scene depicts a forest landscape, encapsulating the era’s fascination with nature and the countryside. During the 1600s, social structures in Europe were deeply rooted in class, influencing what was depicted and who could afford art. Here, peasants are seen tending livestock and the quiet dignity of labor is portrayed in a natural setting. Perelle does not shy away from an idealized version of rural life, but does offer a space to contemplate the lives of those that were rarely seen in art. The circular framing of the etching invites us into a self-contained world. The work evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler life, even as it subtly acknowledges the social and economic realities of the time. It asks us to reflect on our relationship with the environment, while hinting at the often unseen labor that sustains society.