Boer uit de Ardennen met schoffel 1828

Anthonie Willem Hendrik Nolthenius de Man made this print of a farmer from the Ardennes with a hoe in 1828. The image presents a man in simple clothing, a pipe in his mouth, and a tool over his shoulder. This etching was made during a period of significant social and economic change in the Netherlands. Following the Napoleonic era, there was a renewed interest in national identity and rural life. Artists often depicted farmers and rural landscapes as symbols of traditional values and national character. This image is interesting because it elevates the working class to the level of art. Instead of depicting heroic figures, it shines a light on the ordinary people who worked the land. It's important to research the history of printmaking and the art market in the Netherlands to understand how this image circulated and was received by the public. The social and institutional context in which this print was made is critical to understanding its meaning and significance.