The Goatherd 1810

Curator: Bartolomeo Pinelli, born in Rome in 1781, is credited with creating this etching, "The Goatherd." Editor: My first thought is pastoral tranquility—there's a stillness, despite the everyday labor. Curator: Pinelli often depicted scenes of Roman life, but infused with a romantic sensibility. Notice the classical ruin in the background. Editor: Yes, that ruin feels symbolic, doesn't it? A reminder of the past, even as the goatherd enacts this timeless ritual. It could easily be read as an allegory. Curator: Certainly. And consider how Pinelli frames the figures. The goatherd, the goat, even the watching woman, are arranged almost like a frieze. Editor: It is a self-aware construction—reminding us that even the most basic interactions are culturally mediated and framed by our own expectations. Curator: A scene of milking a goat transformed into something lasting. It makes you wonder about the public perception of rural life in Pinelli's time. Editor: Indeed, a simple scene, yet rich with layers of history and symbolism.