Geit en jong in een landschap 1750 - 1809

David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin sketched this image of a goat and its kid in the 1700s. Though seemingly simple, the image offers us a glimpse into the world of 18th-century agrarian society. During this period, agricultural practices and the depiction of rural life were undergoing significant shifts. As urban centers grew, so did the idealization of the countryside. Artists began to romanticize rural existence, often overlooking the hardships faced by the working class. Sandoz-Rollin's sketch, with its gentle portrayal of domestic animals in a tranquil setting, aligns with this trend. The detailed rendering of the goats suggests a sense of care and attention, perhaps reflecting a growing interest in natural history and animal husbandry. To fully understand this work, one might look into the agricultural reforms and economic policies of the time, as well as the artistic conventions that shaped the representation of rural life. It reminds us that art is always a product of its social and institutional context.