Kustlandschap met figuren en bomen 1650 - 1695

Adam Perelle etched this coastal landscape scene sometime in the late 17th century. The Netherlands, where Perelle was born, had recently won independence and was experiencing a period of economic and cultural flourishing known as the Dutch Golden Age. Landscapes were an especially popular subject for Dutch artists during this period, and as the market for art grew, many artists specialized in particular types of landscape. Perelle made many such landscape scenes, and in this one we see a high horizon line and meticulously detailed depiction of the natural world. The scene is populated with many small figures who appear to be working, perhaps in fishing or trade. These details give us insight into daily life in the Netherlands at the time. Studying Perelle's work allows historians to learn about the economy, labor practices, and social structure of the time. It is a record of a specific place and time, and invites the viewer to consider its wider cultural context.