Ermina bij de herders 1622 - 1666

Pier Francesco Mola created this pen and brown ink drawing called ‘Ermina bij de herders’ sometime in the 17th century. The work depicts a scene from Torquato Tasso’s epic poem ‘Gerusalemme Liberata’, where Ermina, a princess, seeks refuge among shepherds after escaping a battle. Mola, living in a tumultuous era marked by religious and political conflict, often infused his work with themes of escape and solace. Look at how Ermina is framed by the composition, which creates a sense of her isolation and vulnerability. Mola challenges traditional representations of women in art by portraying Ermina not as a damsel in distress, but as a woman seeking agency and independence in a world dominated by men and war. In a time of upheaval, ‘Ermina bij de herders’ is about finding peace in simplicity, and about the universal longing for safety. The drawing encourages us to reflect on our own experiences of seeking refuge and finding solace in unexpected places.