Bergachtig landschap met herder en herderin 1761 - 1784

Johannes Janson created this landscape with etching around the mid-18th century, a period marked by significant social and economic shifts. The Dutch Republic, once a global power, was experiencing a relative decline, and there was a growing interest in rural life and nature, often idealized as a retreat from urban complexities. This print presents a serene, mountainous landscape populated by a herder and herderin, but it's essential to consider how this romanticized view intersects with the realities of rural labor and social hierarchies. Who are these figures, and what is their relationship to the land? Are they landowners, laborers, or something in between? These landscapes often served to reinforce the status quo, masking the often harsh realities of rural life with idyllic imagery. Ultimately, Janson's print invites us to reflect on our relationship with the land and the ways in which artistic representations can both reveal and conceal aspects of social and economic power.