Landschap met boerderij 1772

Jean-François Delcourt created this watercolor work "Landscape with Farmhouse." Here, Delcourt presents a seemingly straightforward scene of rural life. But it's important to remember that such pastoral imagery often served complex ideological purposes. Pictures of harmonious countrysides were frequently used to evoke a sense of national identity, particularly in times of political or social upheaval. Consider how the imagery of a peaceful, productive countryside might have resonated differently depending on one's social class. For the wealthy, it might have been a comforting image of stability and order, while for the rural poor, it could represent the harsh realities of agricultural labor and economic inequality. The emotional experience of viewing this work is thus deeply informed by our own positionality and awareness of the historical context in which it was created and received.