Twee koeien, twee varkens, twee beren, een hond en een kat

This tiny engraving of two cows, two pigs, two bears, a dog, and a cat was made by Stephan Herman, though the date is unknown. It presents us with a seemingly simple scene of animals in a landscape. But such images were far from simple in their time. Made in the Netherlands, this work enters a period of complex social and economic shifts in Europe, reflected in its imagery. It could be seen as a commentary on the relationship between the natural world and the burgeoning domestic sphere. The presence of both wild and domesticated animals blurs the boundaries between nature and culture. It subtly hints at a society increasingly reliant on agriculture and animal husbandry. Understanding this print requires looking beyond its surface. Research into the economic practices, social norms, and cultural values of the time would allow us to understand the role of this work in the Northern European society that produced it.