Pastoraal landschap met herder en zijn vee c. 1653

Harmen ter Borch created this pastoral landscape with pen in reddish-brown ink sometime in the mid-17th century. It depicts a shepherd with his flock in a serene, idealized countryside. The image reflects the cultural values of the Dutch Golden Age, particularly its fascination with the natural world. In this era, the Netherlands experienced significant economic growth and social change, leading to a new appreciation for landscapes. Ter Borch's drawing is part of a broader artistic trend that saw the countryside as a source of national pride and identity. It presents a harmonious view of rural life, one that served to legitimize the existing social order and the place of the Dutch Republic within it. To understand this piece better, look to the detailed records of the art market and social history of the Netherlands, which allow us to see how the art market shaped artistic production.