Boerderij 1741 - 1795

Cornelis van Noorde made this print of a farm, or "Boerderij" in the Netherlands. Made in the late eighteenth century, it gives us a glimpse into the rural economy that defined much of Dutch life. The etching highlights the intricate relationship between the family, livestock, and the landscape. Look at the level of detail of the thatched roof of the farmhouse and the distant cityscape, and then notice how they are juxtaposed with the immediacy of the farm animals. Van Noorde was working during a time of significant social and economic change, as the Dutch Republic was slowly losing ground in its international power. Prints like this one catered to a growing interest in country life, as people living in cities idealized the countryside, yet they also served as a reminder of the economic realities facing many Dutch people. Historians use prints like this to explore the history of agriculture, social class, and the visual culture of eighteenth-century Netherlands. By studying these images, along with other historical documents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex social fabric of the past.