Landschap met schapen before 1890

Curator: This is "Landschap met schapen," or "Landscape with Sheep," an etching, woodcut and pastel by Jan Mesker, dating from before 1890. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: My first impression is one of stillness, and a muted calm. There's almost something photographic about it; a snapshot of a moment in time. All that quiet labor. It reminds me of my grandfather's farm and sitting quietly doing nothing. Curator: Interesting that you mention photography. The latter half of the 19th century witnessed an intense negotiation between the rise of photography and the traditions of landscape painting. Artists were grappling with capturing light, atmosphere, and the fleeting moment, very much like what we see here. It's Realism meets a pre-Impressionist sensibility. Editor: Absolutely. But look at those sheep; they almost seem to blend in. Maybe that was on purpose. Mesker gives them a hazy indistinctness which brings a sense of movement even in their stillness. Their presence speaks to the harmony of nature. Curator: Exactly, it’s a Romantic trope. Sheep became symbols of idyllic rural life. Note too, however, the shepherd or shepherdess nearby. Figures such as these remind us of the social and economic structures inherent in seemingly "natural" landscapes. Pastoral scenes were not apolitical, they were a part of nationalistic dialogues as well. Editor: Right, I'd have probably enjoyed this more without considering politics. Even so, you are spot on and there is so much narrative being carried by that tiny figure almost invisible. Still, its power and the simplicity of the rendering of nature brings to life my senses so gently and reminds me the true worth is in silence. Curator: I agree. Mesker invites the viewer to consider what is both visible and unseen, acknowledged, or glossed over in representations of rural life. Thank you for helping me reflect, it’s amazing how history connects with one's most inner emotions. Editor: Thank you, you have allowed me to dive even deeper in my reflections of this land that brought me so much serenity and thoughtfulness about time passing.