The Fresh Morning 1763 - 1819

François Godefroy created this print titled "The Fresh Morning," dedicating it to Monsieur Vassal de St. Huberti, during a time of rigid social hierarchies in France. The image offers us a glimpse into the pastoral, seemingly untouched by the political unrest simmering beneath the surface of 18th-century France. At first glance, it's an idyllic scene: animals herded across a landscape, figures on horseback, and rolling hills. But consider the context: Godefroy dedicating this to a member of the aristocracy even as revolution brewed. How does the image, and its dedication, function as an artifact of class and power? The “fresh morning” perhaps symbolizes a desire for renewal, yet it's presented through the lens of an elite class, seemingly removed from the realities of the common people. It invites us to reflect on whose stories are told, and whose are left out, during times of great upheaval. The emotional pull of pastoral imagery is undeniable, but it's crucial to question what that imagery obscures.