Satyr family, on the move 1730 - 1788

Salomon Gessner created this print, "Satyr family, on the move," during the late 18th century. It’s a window into the romanticized vision of nature that was popular at the time. Gessner, living in an era of emerging bourgeois values, offers us a glimpse into the family life of mythological creatures. A father, carrying his wife, and a child, each navigating a stream. The satyr, traditionally figures of revelry and wildness, are here domesticated, almost pastoral. But let's consider what's not shown. Where are they going? What dangers do they face? This family unit, while seemingly idyllic, exists on the margins, evoking a sense of vulnerability. Are they refugees, displaced from their home? Gessner invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. It's a testament to the enduring human desire to find harmony. It resonates with our longing for belonging, family and safety, even in the most uncertain times.