Rivierlandschap in maanlicht 1822 - 1845

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print of a moonlit river landscape in the Netherlands sometime in the mid-19th century. The Dutch landscape tradition has a long history, and this print draws on established visual codes. Consider the cultural references here: the serene, idealized depiction of rural life. It evokes a sense of national identity rooted in the land. This image comes at a time when the Netherlands was consolidating its national identity after French occupation. Prints like these were widely circulated and helped to shape a shared vision of the nation. To truly understand this artwork, we can delve into archives, study the history of printmaking, and examine the cultural debates of the time. This can reveal the complex social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception. By looking at these contexts, we start to appreciate how art reflects and shapes its world.