Twee herders bij een waterval 1767 - 1768

"Two Shepherds by a Waterfall" is an etching made by Salomon Gessner in the late 18th century. Gessner, a Swiss artist, was deeply influenced by the pastoral tradition, a cultural movement that idealized rural life. At first glance, this etching may seem like a simple, romantic landscape. But the pastoral wasn't just about pretty scenery; it was often a means to explore ideas about society and human nature. The shepherds here are archetypes, figures representing a longing for a simpler, more virtuous existence, far removed from the complexities of urban life. The scene invites us to reflect on our relationship with nature and on the construction of idealized identities rooted in the land. Consider the historical context: Gessner was working during the Enlightenment, a period marked by reason, progress, and a growing interest in individual experience. This etching offers a moment of respite, a space to contemplate what it means to be human amidst the currents of history.