Zomer after 1622

This print, titled "Zomer," was made by Matthäus Merian, a Swiss-born engraver and publisher, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. It presents an idealized vision of summer life, very much in line with the expectations of its elite patrons. Merian's image creates meaning through the visual codes of class and labor. Wealthy figures on horseback dominate the foreground, while peasants engage in agricultural work in the background. This reflects the social hierarchy of the Dutch Golden Age, where economic prosperity depended on both mercantile activity and agricultural production. The imagery is not overtly critical, but the stark contrast between the leisure of the elite and the toil of the working class invites questions about the distribution of wealth and power. To truly understand this print, we can turn to period documents—account books, social commentaries, and even other artworks—that shed light on the complex social dynamics of the time. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.