Heer omringd door herderinnen - Crispijn van de Passe (II)

A seventeenth-century etching by Crispijn van de Passe (II) depicting a gentleman amidst a group of shepherdesses in a pastoral setting.

This etching by Crispijn van de Passe (II) depicts a central male figure, dressed in the fashion of the early seventeenth century, surrounded by a group of shepherdesses. The scene is imbued with the pastoral themes common in Dutch Golden Age art, where the rural life of shepherds and shepherdesses was often used as a vehicle for romantic or moralising allegories. The figures are arranged in a woodland setting, with a distant town visible on the horizon, providing a contrast between the idealised pastoral space and the urban world.

Above the figures, two putti hold a banner inscribed with the title, Le bouquet des Bergeres, which translates to the bouquet of the shepherdesses. The inclusion of these classical motifs, alongside the shepherdesses holding floral wreaths and staffs, suggests a narrative concerning courtship or the exchange of tokens of affection. The composition is balanced, with the central gentleman acting as the anchor for the surrounding figures. The artist employs precise line work to define the textures of the clothing, the foliage, and the soft forms of the putti, demonstrating the technical proficiency associated with the Van de Passe family of printmakers.

Crispijn van de Passe (II) was part of a prolific family of engravers and publishers based in the Netherlands. His work often reflects the stylistic conventions of the period, combining naturalistic observation with classical references. This print serves as an example of the popular allegorical subjects that were widely circulated in the seventeenth century, appealing to collectors interested in both fashion and the literary traditions of the time. The fine detail in the engraving allows for a clear appreciation of the period costume and the symbolic elements integrated into the pastoral scene.