Stier en boer 1825

Johannes Mock produced this print, "Stier en boer" – or "Bull and Farmer" – using etching, around the first half of the 19th century in the Netherlands. Images of rural life gained popularity in the Netherlands during this period, reflecting a broader interest in national identity and the celebration of traditional values. The print depicts a bucolic scene with a farmer, a bull, sheep and cows. The depiction of the farmer alongside his livestock suggests a harmonious relationship between man and nature, and the detailed rendering of the animals reflects a close observation of the natural world. This was a period of significant social and economic change in the Netherlands, including agricultural reforms and urbanization. Mock's image evokes an idealized vision of rural life as a respite from the changing social and economic landscape of the time. The historian's role is to situate art within its specific historical context, drawing on primary sources to understand the social, political, and economic forces that shaped its creation.