Freight Wagon c. 17th century

Curator: This is Allart van Everdingen's "Freight Wagon," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s quite pastoral; I can almost hear the creak of the wagon wheels and the lowing of the oxen. What materials did he employ? Curator: Everdingen, working in the 17th century, used etching techniques to create this landscape. Note the focus on the material realities of rural life. The wagon itself speaks to the economic activity of the period. Editor: Absolutely. And the presence of ordinary folk alongside the wagon prompts us to consider questions of labor, class, and the very definition of landscape within the context of Dutch society. Curator: Indeed. The labor required to produce and transport goods, often overlooked in idealized landscape paintings, is subtly acknowledged. Editor: Reflecting on the role of art in both mirroring and shaping societal values has certainly enhanced my appreciation for this piece. Curator: And examining the materiality reminds us that art is inherently tied to the socio-economic conditions of its making.