Two Sheep c. 17th century

Curator: This print, entitled "Two Sheep," is by Karel Dujardin, who was born in 1622 and died in 1678. Editor: It's striking how the etching lines build such tangible texture, almost like feeling the sheep's wool. Curator: Dujardin's landscapes were popular, reflecting an idealized rural life, but pastoral scenes also carried deeper societal meanings. Editor: Absolutely, the print’s materiality speaks to the value placed on wool production and trade. Curator: These images helped shape perceptions of the countryside and legitimized a certain socio-economic order. Editor: Considering it as an artifact, the paper itself tells a story of accessibility and dissemination. Curator: Right. It circulated these ideas to a wider audience. Editor: Seeing it this way makes you think about the labor embedded in the image itself. Curator: Indeed, Dujardin's composition choices were as politically significant as his etching technique. Editor: It makes you think about the material realities behind seemingly simple images.