Boeren getroffen door runderpest, 1866-1867 1867

This print was made in the Netherlands in 1866 or 1867 by an anonymous artist. It uses the conventions of popular illustration to depict the devastating effects of the Rinderpest disease, a lethal virus that decimated cattle populations throughout Europe. Here, we see sick and dying animals alongside distraught farmers. In the background are windmills, which are a traditional symbol of the Dutch landscape, but also represent the economic structures that are threatened by the epidemic. On the right, wealthy figures in a carriage observe the scene. This juxtaposition hints at the social inequalities and class divisions of the time, and perhaps critiques the government's response to the crisis. As art historians, we can research the economic impact of the epidemic, the social policies of the Dutch government, and period accounts of the event to understand this artwork better. The image reminds us that art is not made in a vacuum, but reflects the pressing social and political concerns of its time.