Zeug zittend op achterpoten c. 1657 - 1761

Marcus de Bye made this print, "Zeug zittend op achterpoten," sometime in the 17th century in the Netherlands. It depicts a pig sitting upright in a rural landscape. The image uses visual codes of domesticity with the rural hut and domesticated animal which evoke the social structures of the time. In the 17th century, Dutch society was undergoing significant economic and social changes due to the rise of mercantilism and increasing urbanization. Prints such as this one reflected a growing interest in rural life and agriculture among the urban population. This print does not explicitly critique the institutions of art or challenge social norms. Instead, it may have served as a decorative or educational tool, reflecting the values and interests of its time. Historical context is essential to understanding this print, so resources such as period documents, agricultural treatises, and social histories can offer greater insight into its meaning and significance.