A shepherd on horseback in the middle of a stream, facing left, dogs, goats and cows follow to left and right, a large tree to left and mountains to right in the background, from 'Four large landscapes' (Quatre grands paysages en hauteur) 1652 - 1657

Editor: Here we have Stefano della Bella’s "A shepherd on horseback in the middle of a stream," created between 1652 and 1657. It’s an etching, and I’m struck by how calm the scene feels. What layers do you see when you look at it? Curator: Beyond the pastoral calm, I see a representation deeply embedded within socio-political hierarchies. How might this idyllic scene mask the realities of labor, land ownership, and perhaps even the subjugation of both the human and animal figures within it? The figure on horseback, for instance, signifies not just a shepherd, but also potentially a symbol of power and control in a hierarchical society. Consider the relationship between this seemingly simple portrayal of rural life and the larger power structures of the Baroque era. What tensions do you observe between nature and culture, freedom and constraint? Editor: I hadn’t considered the shepherd as a symbol of power. I was more focused on the landscape itself. Do you think that Della Bella was intentionally making a statement about those power dynamics? Curator: Intentions are difficult to ascertain, but we can analyze how the image functions within its historical context. The glorification of rural life often coincided with the consolidation of aristocratic land ownership and the exploitation of peasant labor. To what extent does this image perpetuate or perhaps even subtly critique those realities? Also consider how gender dynamics are at play. How are the roles and representation of women absent or invisibilized in this depiction of labor and rural existence? Editor: So, looking beyond the surface, the print provides more to think about concerning social class and even gender! It definitely makes me consider the role of art in either reinforcing or challenging the status quo. Curator: Exactly. By examining art through a critical lens, we can reveal these underlying narratives and gain a richer understanding of history, and, in turn, our present.