Trapganzen en mogelijk een hop 1675 - 1711

This print called ‘Trapganzen en mogelijk een hop’ was made by Pieter Schenk in the Netherlands, most likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. The image shows a variety of birds in a landscape. Prints like these were part of a booming industry. Advances in printing technology allowed for mass production, making art more accessible to a wider audience beyond the wealthy elite. The rise of a mercantile class in the Netherlands created a new market for art. Images of animals and landscapes became fashionable as markers of status and taste. It’s worth remembering that the institutions of art history – museums, galleries, academies – were still in their infancy. Understanding this print involves looking at the economic conditions that shaped its production and reception. Examining these social and institutional contexts can reveal the complex ways that art reflects and influences society.