Twee geliefden in een kersenboom c. 1825

Etienne Leguay created this print, "Two Lovers in a Cherry Tree," and it offers us a glimpse into the romanticized ideals of pastoral life. During this era, there was a fascination with portraying love and nature, often intertwined. Here, the artist presents a couple sharing cherries, a symbol of love and fertility, set against a lush, idealized landscape. The man is standing on a ladder, picking the cherries and feeding the woman who sits below him. It speaks to themes of courtship and the gentle pursuit of affection, characteristic of the period’s artistic sensibilities. However, this image also hints at the social constructs of gender roles, where men take on the active role of provider and women are depicted as passive recipients. The print invites us to reflect on the emotional nuances of love and longing and the historical context that shaped its representation.