Staande boer met stok 1636 - 1700

This is an etching called "Standing Farmer with Stick," and it was made by an anonymous artist. Likely created in the 17th century, this period in the Netherlands was marked by significant social stratification, with rural farmers occupying the lower rungs of society. The etching portrays a farmer in simple, unadorned clothing, holding a walking stick. His hunched posture and weathered appearance speak to the hardships of rural life. While seemingly straightforward, this image offers insight into the complex social dynamics of the time. The farmer's attire and posture signal his economic status, while the walking stick could symbolize both his reliance on the land and his vulnerability. The artist's choice to depict a farmer as the subject of art underscores the growing interest in the lives of ordinary people. Yet, it may also perpetuate stereotypes about rural communities. How does the work make you feel? Does it evoke empathy, curiosity, or something else? This etching invites us to consider the lives of those who have often been overlooked in art historical narratives.