Pastorals c. 1740 - 1760

Joseph-Charles Roettiers created this drawing, Pastorals, at an unknown date, now held in the Städel Museum. At first glance, we see an idyllic scene of leisure and music, but delve deeper and the iconography reveals more. The shepherd playing his flute is not merely a musician, but a symbol of Arcadia, an idealized vision of pastoral life. This motif, echoing through antiquity and reappearing in the Renaissance, suggests a longing for a simpler, more harmonious existence. But notice the ruined architecture—a subtle memento mori—hinting at the transience of even the most idealized worlds. This interplay of innocence and decay, of music and ruins, taps into our collective memory. The image is not just a depiction of beauty but a poignant commentary on the passage of time and the enduring human desire for an unattainable paradise. The donkey's head, a symbol of foolishness, adds another layer of meaning, reminding us that even in our pursuit of Arcadia, we are not immune to folly.