Goats c. 17th century

Curator: At first glance, there's a certain pastoral calm in this print. Editor: Indeed. What we're seeing is "Goats" by Pieter van Laer. Van Laer, who lived from 1598 to 1641, was Dutch, and this work is held at the Harvard Art Museums. The etching technique really emphasizes the textures. Curator: Absolutely, the labor involved in creating such detail is fascinating. Look at the rendering of the goats' fur and the shepherdess's clothing, it speaks volumes about the material conditions of rural life. Editor: And how those conditions were idealized by the artists of the time. Van Laer wasn't just depicting goats; he was participating in a broader artistic dialogue about the role of the countryside and the place of labor within it. Curator: Right, it makes you consider who the audience was for such a print. Editor: Certainly, images like this played a role in shaping urban perceptions of the rural sphere. Thank you for your insights! Curator: My pleasure.