Herfst 1626

Herman Breckerveld created this etching, “Herfst,” which translates to Autumn, around 1648. During the Dutch Golden Age, seasonal allegories became popular, and the artist uses this framework to reflect the socio-economic dynamics of the time. Here, the harvest transcends a mere depiction of nature's bounty; it provides commentary on labor and class. On the left, a worker labors next to a laden cart, while on the right, a well-to-do family strolls casually, the mother pointing towards the ships. The composition subtly directs our gaze from the laboring class to the beneficiaries of their work, hinting at the societal hierarchies upheld by this system. The inclusion of ships signals the importance of trade. Breckerveld’s “Herfst” is not just a symbolic portrayal of the season, but an encapsulation of the complex societal structures that defined the Dutch Golden Age, reflecting on the relationships between labor, wealth, and social class.