Cattle and Drovers in a Rugged Forest Landscape c. 1660

Curator: This is Jonas Umbach's "Cattle and Drovers in a Rugged Forest Landscape." Umbach, who lived from 1624 to 1693, captured a pastoral scene, reflecting the growing interest in landscape art during the Baroque period. Editor: It's so moody, almost…romantic, in that dramatic, slightly melancholic way. All those scribbly lines give it a feeling of untamed nature, a real sense of movement. Curator: The etching technique, with its emphasis on line, allows for a detailed portrayal of the natural setting. The drovers and cattle add a layer of human interaction with the environment. These depictions were often commissioned by wealthy landowners. Editor: It's the details that get me – the way the water falls, that blasted tree trunk. Feels like a stage set. I can almost smell the damp earth and hear the cattle lowing. Curator: Indeed, it encapsulates a moment in the socio-economic history where land management and artistic expression intertwined. Editor: I can't help but wonder what stories this landscape holds, what secrets those trees have witnessed. Thanks for sharing this artwork, it’s definitely a gem.