Ramskop naar links 1820

Abraham Hendrik Winter made this etching of a ram's head in 1820. Winter lived at a time when artists often found employment through institutions such as museums and universities, where they made anatomical studies for scientific use. The detailed, careful depiction of the ram's head, with its strong horns and thick wool, suggests it may have been made for such a purpose. In the Netherlands during the early 19th century, there was growing interest in natural history and agricultural science. Images of specific animal breeds were used to educate farmers and promote selective breeding practices. To truly understand this image, we might delve into the scientific literature and agricultural manuals of the period. By exploring these resources, we can better understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped the production and use of such images. The meaning of art is always contingent on its context.