The Herdsman and the Shepherdess 1625 - 1635

"The Herdsman and the Shepherdess" is an etching made by Claude Lorrain, sometime in the mid-17th century. Lorrain lived during a period of immense social and political upheaval, when gender roles were deeply entrenched in European society. In this pastoral scene, Lorrain subtly navigates themes of gender and class. The shepherdess is placed lower than the male figure, which perhaps reflects the unequal status of women at this time. But the romanticized depiction of rural life also obscures the harsh realities faced by the working class. The figures seem to exist in a carefree world far removed from the class divisions of 17th century Europe. Lorrain seems to ask, who gets to experience leisure, and at what cost? This piece encourages us to reflect on how identity and societal structures shape our experience of the world.