Augustus 1722 - 1784

Simon Fokke created this print, Augustus, in the Netherlands during the 18th century, using etching. At first glance, the scene depicts a peaceful landscape, a chapel nestled atop a hill, figures fishing, and a serene sky. However, prints like these played a crucial role in shaping cultural values and social norms during the Dutch Enlightenment. The picturesque aesthetic, with its emphasis on idealized nature, was deeply intertwined with notions of national identity and moral virtue. Prints were often commissioned by wealthy patrons, and widely disseminated through print shops and books, shaping public taste and reinforcing class distinctions. This particular print invites us to consider the relationship between religious institutions, the natural world, and the everyday lives of people in 18th-century Netherlands. To fully understand its meaning, we might delve into historical archives, exploring contemporary attitudes towards religion, landscape, and social hierarchy. Ultimately, the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.