Farm Courtyard c. 1750

"Farm Courtyard" is an undated etching by François Boucher, a leading artist of the French Rococo. Boucher's work often celebrated idealized pastoral scenes that were consumed by the aristocratic elite. But, in this piece, there are also hints of the realities of rural life, which was often romanticized from afar. The etching depicts a dilapidated farmhouse surrounded by overgrown vegetation, giving us a glimpse into the lives of those who lived and worked on the land. Note the figures placed on the right of the image and the chickens in the farmyard; they give a sense of scale and life, suggesting a narrative of everyday existence. What kind of commentary is Boucher making here about the representation of class? This image asks us to reflect on the complexities inherent in representing rural life and the people who inhabit it.