Lente en zomer 1766

Giovanni Vitalba created these prints of 'Lente en Zomer' in the late 18th century. They are prime examples of allegorical representations of spring and summer, rendered through a lens of idealized pastoral life. These prints reflect the values and aesthetics of their time, rooted in classical ideals of beauty, harmony, and a romanticized view of nature. Yet, if you look closely, these images perpetuate an idealized vision of society, masking the complex realities of labor, class, and gender roles within agricultural communities. The women are presented as nurturing mothers, and the abundance of nature suggests a world without scarcity. Vitalba's work provides a glimpse into the cultural imagination of the 1700s, inviting us to reflect on how representations of nature and society intersect with prevailing social norms and power structures. As we consider these idealized scenes, we might ask ourselves whose stories are being told and whose are being left out.