Landscape with Wagon and Travellers c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jean Morin's "Landscape with Wagon and Travellers," created sometime in the mid-17th century. It’s a small print, but it feels expansive. What can you tell me about the social context of such landscape images? Curator: Well, consider the rise of a wealthy merchant class in the 17th century. Landscapes like this weren't just about pretty scenery; they reflected a growing appreciation for land ownership and the pleasures of the countryside among those with the means to enjoy it. Notice how the travellers are integrated into the scene but don’t dominate it? Editor: Right, they are part of the landscape. The print almost suggests a sense of idealized rural life. Curator: Exactly! And this ideal was increasingly accessible, visually and physically, to a broader segment of society. How do you think this availability of landscape imagery affected perceptions of class and privilege? Editor: I see what you mean. It created a sort of shared visual language around nature. Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about regarding the politics of landscape. Curator: Indeed. It’s a window into the changing social landscape of the time.