Rustende herders en herderinnen 1702 - 1767

Curator: Ah, yes, here we have “Rustende herders en herderinnen,” or “Resting Shepherds and Shepherdesses,” an engraving dating somewhere between 1702 and 1767, created by Jacob Folkema. It's currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's incredibly ornate, isn't it? Even before you zoom in on the pastoral scene itself, that frame practically leaps off the page. It gives off such a light, fanciful sort of mood—perfect for a summer's afternoon nap in a field. Curator: Absolutely, that decorative border is striking! See how Folkema has framed the central scene with symbolic elements: floral garlands below and above that bold ram's head, an almost theatrical proscenium framing the players. Editor: Yes, it sets up a delightful tension between high artifice and, ostensibly, natural simplicity. But I suppose it all comes down to *how* the shepherds are presented. They are rather, well, idealized. Curator: That's the Baroque spirit, isn't it? This isn't about documenting rustic labor; it's about conjuring a vision of Arcadian bliss. Look at the way the light catches the folds of their clothing, lending a classical grace to figures that would have known rough work and weathered clothes. Editor: Right, the whole piece seems like a fantasy layered upon a fantasy. The delicate linework in the engraving, which evokes the gentleness of the moment…I wonder, did this idyllic presentation reflect the reality of rural life back then? Or, was this idealized vision born out of some yearning from people living a completely different reality, who dreamed about an unburdened way of being in the world? Curator: A longing, perhaps. These works provided a symbolic release—a connection with simplicity amid increasing social complexity. These aren't portraits of individual farmers. They are types that echo the stories of classic pastoral poetry. It's about projecting yearnings and dreams onto a scene... an imaginative moment outside time. Editor: Yes, you can't help but bring to it your own associations, your own longing. And what is art for, if not that? This feels like stepping into someone’s treasured daydream. Thank you for taking the time to explore Jacob Folkema's work. Curator: Indeed. Hopefully this work allows you to appreciate the skill that allowed it to be brought to life!