Old Shepherd Leaning on a Sack c. 18th century

Curator: This etching is titled "Old Shepherd Leaning on a Sack" by Pellegrino dal Colle. The mood is wonderfully languid; everyone, even the donkey, seems to be taking a well-deserved break. Editor: It’s important to remember that depictions of pastoral life are often romanticized. This image, while seemingly idyllic, obscures the realities of labor and social hierarchies of the time. Curator: Perhaps, but there's also a quiet intimacy in the composition—the way the shepherd leans on his sack, his dog nestled beside him. It speaks to a life lived close to the land. Editor: And who has access to that land? These images often ignore the power dynamics at play, the inequalities inherent in land ownership and resource distribution. Curator: I see your point. Still, the rendering of the textures, the light on the leaves... dal Colle had an eye for detail. It draws me in. Editor: It’s a useful reminder to look beyond surface appearances, to question the narratives these artworks perpetuate.