Landschap met ruiter en drie figuren 1720 - 1820

"Landschap met ruiter en drie figuren" is an etching by S. Le Masurier, created around the mid-18th century. The etching depicts an outdoor scene with a horseman observing three figures resting alongside a rural path. Le Masurier, working during the Enlightenment, presents a composition reflective of the social hierarchies of his time. The figure on horseback holds a position of power, contrasting sharply with the earthbound family, perhaps alluding to the vast disparities in wealth and status that defined 18th-century European society. The artist makes use of pastoral imagery - something that was increasingly romanticized during the era. What does it mean to present the working class as figures in a serene landscape? Is it a reflection of reality, or a carefully curated narrative that obscures the harsh realities of poverty? The image invites us to think critically about how class is portrayed and experienced.