Boerenerf met melkende meid 1789 - 1859

Pieter de Goeje made this drawing titled 'Boerenerf met melkende meid' – or 'Farmyard with milking maid' – using pen and ink. It depicts an everyday scene of rural life, evoking the social fabric of the Netherlands in the 19th century. The image presents a farmyard, complete with cows and a milkmaid. The scene's focus on labor reflects the agrarian economy that predominated in the Netherlands. The image subtly reinforces the established social order, where rural life and labor are idealized. The drawing seems to reinforce traditional values and class distinctions. To fully appreciate De Goeje's drawing, historical sources like agricultural records, social commentaries, and art criticism of the time would be invaluable. In doing so, we can better understand the drawing as a cultural artifact, shaped by its unique social and institutional context.