Peasants and Animals Before a Tent c. 18th century

Editor: So, we're looking at "Peasants and Animals Before a Tent," by Francesco del Pedro. It's hard not to notice the figures' simplicity, almost like they're tools themselves within this rural scene. What does it mean to you? Curator: This print invites us to consider the social context and labor that shaped it. Notice the tent, the animals. How do these elements speak to the means of survival for peasant communities? What materials are present? Editor: The tent and animals suggest a reliance on natural resources, right? I'm also curious about the lack of idealization, that shows the hard work of agricultural life. Curator: Precisely! Del Pedro isn’t presenting a romantic vision, but a depiction tied to material reality. What can we infer about the production and consumption that underpinned this lifestyle from the people working in this scene? Editor: I hadn’t considered it that way, but by focusing on the materials and their use, we can understand more about the lives of these people. Thanks.