Two Buffalos and the Shepherd c. 17th century

Curator: The light and dark areas in this plate immediately give me a feeling of stark contrast and simplicity. Editor: This etching, "Two Buffalos and the Shepherd," is by Pieter van Laer, a Dutch artist active in the 17th century. Curator: The buffalos, they seem like ancient symbols of fertility and strength. Are they perhaps meant to evoke a simpler, pastoral time? Editor: It's more likely that Van Laer was documenting the realities of Roman Campagna. He was known for his "bambocciate"—scenes of everyday life, especially among the lower classes. Curator: So, it's less about idealizing and more about portraying a social reality, then. What is the social context for displaying such a scene? Editor: Well, these works offered northerners a glimpse into Italy. Displayed, they shaped perceptions and reinforced cultural stereotypes for viewers removed from that reality. Curator: Interesting, a complex interplay of observing, recording, and reinforcing views. It makes you wonder what narratives were crafted around it. Editor: Precisely, and how those narratives continue to affect us today.