Landschap met een herder en een kar, getrokken door ossen, getroffen door de bliksem 1649 - 1734

Louis de Châtillon created this landscape scene with etching, depicting a shepherd and ox-drawn cart struck by lightning. The artwork, with its dramatic weather event, can be viewed through the lens of the 17th and 18th centuries. It was a time when the power of nature and the vulnerability of human life were common themes in art, reflecting both a romantic fascination and the harsh realities of the time. The social structure of the period placed rural workers like shepherds at the bottom, often at the mercy of natural disasters. Châtillon illustrates this precarious existence, capturing a moment of chaos that disrupts their daily lives. The landscape in the etching isn't just a backdrop; it's an active participant, showcasing the sublime, a popular concept at the time which suggested that nature, in its most powerful form, could inspire awe and terror. The artist uses light and shadow to enhance the drama, creating a stark contrast between the dark, ominous sky and the small figures below. This print serves as a reminder of the unpredictable forces that shape our lives and environments, and the unequal ways in which they affect us.