Drentse schaapskooi 1865 - 1936

Nicolaas van der Waay made this etching, titled 'Drentse schaapskooi' or 'Drenthe sheepfold,' at an unknown date. The image depicts a humble scene: a small flock of sheep huddling outside a weathered, thatch-roofed structure, likely in the Drenthe region of the Netherlands. This work offers a glimpse into the rural life of the Netherlands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period of significant social and economic change. As the country industrialized, artists increasingly turned to portrayals of the countryside and its inhabitants, often idealizing a simpler, pre-industrial way of life. Institutions like the Pulchri Studio, an association of artists to which Van der Waay belonged, played a key role in shaping artistic tastes and promoting certain subjects and styles. By studying the exhibition records and publications of such groups, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural values that informed the creation and reception of this evocative print.