Landschap met figuren aan een oever die een vuur ontsteken Possibly 1774 - 1778

Richard Earlom created this aquatint print, "Landschap met figuren aan een oever die een vuur ontsteken," around 1774. As Earlom never left London, we can only imagine his perception of labor and leisure in a far off landscape like this one. This print invites us to consider the colonial gaze and the representation of labor. We see figures tending to a fire, their postures suggesting a blend of rest and activity. The presence of the animals implies a life of labor, raising questions about freedom and the environment that are still relevant today. Whose labor are we looking at? How does the depiction of their rest play into the narratives of the time? Consider how the warmth of the fire contrasts with the cool tones of the landscape, creating a sense of intimacy amidst the wider scene. This artwork stirs questions about how we perceive both work and rest.