An Assembly of Shepherds (Vol. I, Book II, Ode 19), engraved by A. Walker c. 1766

Editor: This engraving, "An Assembly of Shepherds," by Susanna Duncombe, and engraved by A. Walker, depicts a classical scene. It feels very gendered and staged, like a pastoral fantasy. What societal power dynamics might be at play here? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the tradition of pastoral art itself: often produced and consumed by the elite, it romanticized rural life while masking the realities of labor and social inequality. How might Duncombe, as a woman artist, be engaging with or subverting these established tropes? Editor: So, it’s not just a pretty picture? Curator: Not at all. Think about the representation of women in the image. Are they active participants in the scene, or are they positioned as objects of beauty, reinforcing patriarchal ideals of the time? The gaze of the shepherd is important to analyze. Editor: That reframes the way I see the image. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. By questioning these representations, we can start to understand the social and political messages embedded within the seemingly idyllic landscape.