Farm Buildings beside a Waterway c. 1765 - 1770

Jean-Honoré Fragonard made this drawing of farm buildings beside a waterway sometime during the 18th century. At first glance, it is just a serene waterside scene. But look closer: what realities of life, class, and labor are depicted in this landscape? The laboring figures in the boat and on the docks are dwarfed by the buildings. This juxtaposition speaks to the social hierarchies of 18th century France, and the artist's own position within them. Fragonard, though supported by the aristocracy, often romanticized the pastoral life. Note how the architecture seems to merge with the natural surroundings. Does this suggest harmony or an imposition? Consider the power dynamics inherent in the relationship between the land, those who own it, and those who work it. Fragonard invites us to reflect on these dynamics, reminding us that landscapes are never just neutral spaces, but are imbued with the complexities of human experience and social structures.