Three Pigs Lying Near a Hedge c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Karel Dujardin's "Three Pigs Lying Near a Hedge." It's a print, and the pigs seem very relaxed, even lazy. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Consider the market for pastoral scenes in the 17th century. Prints like these democratized art, bringing images of rural life into middle-class homes. Does Dujardin romanticize peasant life, or offer a more realistic view? Editor: I hadn't thought about the audience! It does seem a little idealized, maybe? Curator: Perhaps. The placement of these images shaped perceptions. Think about how the art market itself influences what's created and consumed, then and now. Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. I'll definitely look at art differently now!