Herder met doedelzak 1599 - 1664

Editor: Here we have Jan Miel's "Herder met doedelzak," which translates to "Shepherd with Bagpipes," dating somewhere between 1599 and 1664. It's a drawing, an ink pen sketch. What strikes me is how rustic and perhaps even a bit melancholic the scene feels. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The bagpipes themselves carry so much symbolic weight. The instrument is often associated with pastoral scenes, certainly. But consider its broader implications: music as a civilizing force, but also as a sound of the countryside and an idealized, perhaps unreachable, past. Miel uses the image of a herder, playing his instrument amidst his animals, but this image isn't just picturesque. What is he herding if not memory, the echoes of traditions on the verge of disappearing even then? Notice how the goats almost ignore him. Editor: That's a compelling idea, the herding of memory! So, is Miel suggesting a loss of tradition? Curator: Perhaps a meditation on its evolving nature, rather than a complete loss. The dog, loyal and watchful, contrasts sharply with the more detached goats, suggesting different ways of relating to this cultural memory. Think about who is supposed to hear this music. Is it for the animals or for those who are part of his cultural sphere? Editor: The dog representing loyalty to tradition, that's insightful. I initially just saw it as part of the genre scene. Curator: The symbols exist within that context, enlivening the work in new and unexpected ways. This tension - of familiarity and latent significance - animates the piece, don't you agree? Editor: I absolutely agree. Now I see it as much more than just a simple depiction of country life. Thanks for enlightening me on this work.