Boerderij 1775 - 1815

Here is a print titled 'Boerderij' by Leendert Overbeek, who was active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During this era, the Dutch Republic faced significant political and economic challenges, eventually leading to its transformation into the Batavian Republic under French influence. The image captures a rural scene, likely intended to evoke a sense of the traditional Dutch countryside. But consider the lives of the rural poor versus the wealth of merchants at this time. Think about the labor of those who worked the land, those who constructed homes, and their connection to the environment. This idyllic view tends to omit the realities of daily life for many. The print presents us with a familiar question: who is this image really for? Does it represent a genuine embrace of rural life or a nostalgic fantasy constructed for an urban, wealthier audience? How does it make you feel?