Boer en kind warmen zich aan haardvuur 1639 - 1684

Aert van Waes made this etching, *Boer en kind warmen zich aan haardvuur,* likely in the mid-17th century. The print was created by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then running it through a press, transferring the image to paper. Look closely, and you'll see how van Waes used this linear method to great effect, describing a humble domestic interior: a farmer and child huddle around a hearth. The scene is rendered with a stark simplicity, the artist using the etched line to define form and texture. Consider the woven basket the farmer sits upon, described with an economy of means. The lines mimic the way the object was made, echoing the interlaced strands. While the scene appears straightforward, there’s an implied social commentary here. Van Waes’ choice of etching, a relatively accessible medium, and his focus on the everyday lives of common people, suggests a deliberate democratizing of art. He elevates the quotidian, prompting us to consider the value and dignity of labor often overlooked in grander artistic narratives. By focusing on the materials, the making, and the social context, we recognize the importance of artwork like this, challenging any hierarchy between fine art and craft.