Herdersfamilie in landschap 1747 - 1812

Pellegrino dal Colle created this print, "Herdersfamilie in landschap," depicting a herder family within a pastoral landscape. Born in 1737, dal Colle lived during a time of significant social and economic change, with traditional rural life increasingly idealized in art. In this work, the artist explores themes of labor and family roles. The composition presents a gendered division of labor: the woman spins wool while the man, possibly the father, rests. The children are either working or playing, and the presence of animals suggests the family's dependence on livestock for survival. The image evokes a sense of rustic simplicity, yet it's important to consider the historical context. Dal Colle’s work, and the wider pastoral genre, often romanticized rural existence, glossing over the hardships and inequalities inherent in agrarian societies. Instead, we might see how the representation of the herder family is embedded in a complex web of societal ideals, gender expectations, and the realities of labor.