Man met geiten bij beek en rotsblok in heuvelachtig landschap 1787 - 1788

Friedrich Rauscher created this etching, "Man with Goats by a Stream and Boulder in a Hilly Landscape," sometime in the late 18th to early 19th century. During this period, the concept of the ‘picturesque’ was in vogue, emphasizing the beauty of untamed nature. This print reflects the aesthetic values of the era, inviting viewers to appreciate the sublime harmony between humans and nature. We see a lone figure, perhaps a shepherd, amidst a rugged landscape, his presence softened by the inclusion of his goats. However, what might seem like a serene scene also speaks to the social realities of the time, where rural life was often romanticized while the labor and struggles of those who lived it were overlooked. Rauscher’s work, like much art of his time, navigates the complex interplay between idealized representation and lived experience, prompting us to consider whose stories are told and how.