Herders bij schapen op een veld 1675 - 1711

This print, made by Pieter Schenk around the turn of the 18th century, shows herders tending sheep in a field. It’s made using an intaglio process, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, and then printed. Look closely, and you'll see how the material qualities of the metal influenced the appearance of the image. The lines are crisp and precise, giving the scene a sense of detail. It's a laborious process that demands skill and patience. The engraver would have used specialized tools to create the lines and textures that define the image. This print also speaks to broader issues of labor and social class. The herders depicted represent a rural working class, their lives intimately connected to the land and the animals they tend. While this image idealizes their existence, the labor involved in shepherding was demanding. It's a reminder that even in seemingly idyllic scenes, there are always undercurrents of work, production, and the social relations that shape our world.