Rustende herder met hond 1829

George Jooss made this etching of a resting shepherd with his dog sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The image romanticizes rural life, as it captures an intimate moment between man and animal in an idealized natural setting. Made in the Netherlands, a country with a strong tradition of landscape painting and a growing interest in national identity, this work can be considered in light of the social and economic changes of the time. The rise of industrialization and urbanization led to a nostalgic view of the countryside as a place of purity and simplicity. The shepherd, a traditional figure, becomes a symbol of an older, more authentic way of life. Art historians use various resources to understand the context of artworks, including period literature, economic data, and studies of popular culture. By examining these sources, we can better appreciate the dialogue between art and society and the ways in which images reflect and shape cultural values.