The Swineherd c. 18th century

Curator: Here we have "The Swineherd" by Thomas Major, who lived from 1720 to 1799. It’s currently part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: My first thought? Melancholy pastoral. That dominant, broken tree definitely sets a mood. Curator: That tree is fascinating. Broken or decaying trees often symbolized mortality or the passage of time, resonating with memento mori traditions. Editor: Right. It's like the whole scene is basking in a kind of elegiac light, even with the everyday activity of tending livestock. Curator: Precisely. The swineherd himself almost fades into the landscape, reinforcing a sense of the individual's place within a larger cycle. Editor: It's funny how a simple scene of pigs grazing can become so profound. Thanks for pointing out the symbols. Curator: It’s all about reading the visual language, isn't it? Symbols are like echoes of shared human experiences, aren't they?