Pastoral Scene: A Herdsman and His Family, with Goats 1675 - 1706

Philipp Peter Roos made this red chalk drawing of a herdsman and his family, with goats, in the late 17th century. Roos, a German artist working in Italy, specialized in animal paintings, and this drawing reflects the period's interest in pastoral themes and the idealization of rural life. But how does Roos, the artist, portray this family? We see the herdsman lounging casually with his children, surrounded by goats and other animals. The scene appears serene. However, this idealized vision contrasts sharply with the realities of peasant life in 17th-century Europe, marked by poverty and hardship. The image evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler way of life, in a rapidly changing, urbanizing Europe. By examining archival sources from the period, such as economic records and social commentaries, we can begin to understand the complex relationship between art and society. This helps to illuminate the social and institutional contexts in which artists like Roos were working.