Landschap met doedelzak spelende herder 1552 - 1575

This landscape with a bagpipe-playing shepherd is an anonymous etching. The composition reveals an idyllic scene, where nature and human activity coexist harmoniously, evoked through the arrangement of elements in the landscape and a muted contrast of light and shadow. The shepherd with his flock occupies the foreground, while behind, a house sits on a hill, and a river flows in the distance. This structured layout uses the foreground to draw us into the setting. The artist used a network of fine lines to delineate forms and textures, which adds depth. The shepherd playing music introduces a cultural code that enhances the image's pastoral motif, a common theme in art, representing the simple life. The piece invites us to consider how art reflects and shapes cultural values and ideals.