Twee ezels aan het strand 1864 - 1902

Paul Parmentier created this etching titled 'Two Donkeys on the Beach' in the late 19th century. It depicts two donkeys, likely working animals, standing on a flat beach. The scene is rendered with a stark simplicity. This image offers a glimpse into the social and economic landscape of the Netherlands at that time. Donkeys were commonly used as beasts of burden, and their presence on the beach suggests their involvement in local industries. Parmentier captures a quiet moment in their working day. The figures in the background give a sense of the communities who lived and worked in that area. By studying the artistic trends, economic conditions, and social structures of the late 19th century Netherlands, we can gain a deeper understanding of this unassuming image. Such information might be gleaned from local archives and historical societies. Through such research, the historian can reveal the complex ways that art reflects and engages with its world.