Bergachtig landschap met herder 1844

Frédéric Théodore Faber created this mountainous landscape with shepherd as an etching. Made in the Netherlands, it reflects the cultural move toward romanticism. The shepherd and his animals live in harmony with nature, which is in keeping with the idealized view of rural life that was so popular at the time. This escapist vision was extremely attractive to city dwellers, who had experienced the first stages of industrialisation. It is interesting to note that the Rijksmuseum, where the artwork is kept, has an extensive collection of landscape paintings from this period. These institutions played a role in shaping the perception of Dutch identity. The artwork is also of interest because it is a print. The making and collecting of prints was a popular pastime in the Netherlands at the time, and we might study sale catalogues to understand more about the market for such works. This artwork can tell us much about the social and cultural life of the time.