Herders met kudde op houten brug 1636 - 1695

Editor: This print, “Herders met kudde op houten brug,” by Nicolas Perelle, made sometime between 1636 and 1695, shows a bucolic scene with figures crossing a bridge. It's rendered in a very detailed, almost delicate, style. What’s most striking to me is the feeling of pastoral life it conveys, like a scene from a play. What stands out to you? Curator: I am drawn to how Perelle uses seemingly simple images, like the herders and their flock, to tap into deeper cultural narratives. Bridges are always interesting symbols, not just literally spanning a divide but psychologically linking different states of being. Do you notice the contrast between the shadowed foreground and the luminous background with the fortress? Editor: Yes, there is definitely a contrast in the light! It almost feels like there’s a sense of hope suggested by the sunlit castle in the distance, with the bridge acting as a passage. Curator: Precisely. The path across the bridge could symbolize life’s journey itself, while the castle might represent security and higher achievement. Engravings such as this were often widely distributed. Considering this, how do you think Perelle's imagery served as cultural memory or aspirational longing in the 17th century? Editor: So, people at the time could reflect on their lives as humble but journeying toward something greater. I didn’t consider how symbolic each element is within the landscape. Curator: Absolutely, images hold powerful symbolic resonance. It changes the way we look at what first seemed to be just a nice scenery. Editor: It does! I learned to think beyond the immediate visual representation to explore the symbols. It gives the work so much more depth!