The Shepherd c. 20th century

Curator: Richard Seewald, born in 1889, produced this image, titled "The Shepherd." Editor: It's like a woodcut, but playful! The animals are packed together, almost bursting out of the frame. Curator: Seewald was associated with the New Objectivity movement, which often reacted to the emotional intensity of Expressionism with a return to order, form, and a kind of detached realism. Editor: Detached? I find it quite lively. The colors, though limited, are so vivid. It's almost dreamlike, this simple scene rendered in such a bold way. Curator: Consider the social context. Pastoral scenes idealized rural life, particularly appealing during periods of rapid industrialization. It's a narrative about simpler times. Editor: Maybe. Or maybe it's just a guy and his very energetic herd, captured with humor and a love for the shapes they make together. Curator: I suppose we each find what we seek in art. Editor: Exactly, and that's the best part, isn’t it?