A Sleeping Shepherd Boy 1630 - 1674

Gerbrand van den Eeckhout created this chalk drawing of "A Sleeping Shepherd Boy" sometime in the mid-17th century. It’s a study of a figure in repose, but it invites us to reflect on social structures of labor and leisure in the Dutch Golden Age. During this era, the Netherlands experienced a period of unprecedented economic growth and cultural flourishing. But not everyone benefited equally. While merchants amassed wealth, rural workers like shepherds often faced hardship. This image of sleep could therefore be understood as a form of social commentary, where we can consider the shepherd boy as a symbol of the working class seeking respite from their toils. By examining historical documents, such as economic reports and social surveys, we can deepen our understanding of the artwork’s cultural context. And by engaging with art in this way, we recognize that its meaning is always contingent on the social and institutional forces that shape its production and reception.