Herdersgezin met kudde 1794 - 1862

Pierre Jean Baptiste Leroy created this etching called *Herdersgezin met kudde*, or Herder Family with Herd, in the 19th century. During this period, Europe saw the rise of Romanticism, where artists idealized rural life and nature. This work reflects such sentiments, but it's also worth thinking about how it positions different figures within this pastoral scene. We see a family, presumably traversing a landscape with their livestock, in a traditional representation of labor and domesticity. Gender roles seem defined: the men herding, while the women are seemingly being transported by donkeys or mules. The family's identity, likely working class or peasant, is central to the image. This representation may romanticize their existence, yet also subtly acknowledges their dependence on the land and animals for survival. Leroy's etching invites us to consider the complexities of rural life. It reflects both the beauty and hardships inherent in the historical context of this family, and perhaps asks us to contemplate our own place within these broader narratives of labor, identity, and environment.