Boslandschap met wandelaars bij water 1613 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle made this landscape with walkers by the water as an etching sometime in the latter half of the 17th century in France. At this time, landscape prints were very popular. This idyllic forest scene gives us a glimpse into the aesthetics of the era. In the 17th century, there was an increasing interest in nature, especially among the wealthy. This was partly due to the rise of scientific thought and exploration, but also due to the emerging idea of the "picturesque," that is, nature as something beautiful to be looked at, instead of only as a resource. Does this image celebrate nature or try to dominate it? To understand this, we can examine the history of the publishing house named on the print and consider how the market economy influenced the production of art. We might also consider the social class of those who bought images like this to decorate their homes. By understanding its context, this image becomes a valuable source for understanding the culture of its time.