Hyrder med køer og får. T.v. en hyrde med en stav, ved siden af ham en hyrde ridende på en hest. T.h. træer 1740 - 1801

Philippe Louis Parizeau created this drawing of shepherds with cows and sheep with pen and brown ink, brush and gray and brown wash. The image shows us more than just an idyllic pastoral scene. It reveals the hierarchical social structures that were prevalent in 18th-century Europe. We see a shepherd on foot alongside another shepherd, perhaps a supervisor, who is on horseback. This detail indicates class divisions within rural communities. Parizeau was a French artist, and France at this time was still heavily reliant on agriculture. Visual codes such as clothing and posture would have immediately signaled social status to contemporary viewers. It is important to look at historical documents, such as estate records and tax registers, to understand the economic realities of rural life during this period. By studying these sources, we can better understand the social and economic context in which Parizeau's art was created.