Moeder met kind op een boerenerf 1877 - 1890

Jan Mesker created this print called 'Mother with Child in a Farmyard' sometime in the mid-19th century in the Netherlands. It reflects the social and economic realities of rural life during that period. Mesker's choice to depict a mother and child in a humble farmyard setting speaks to the changing artistic tastes. Artists began to focus on the lives of ordinary people rather than just the wealthy or powerful. The image creates meaning through its detailed depiction of the rural environment, and the historical associations of farming with Dutch national identity. The print does not critique the institutions of art, but does draw attention to the value of rural life. To understand Mesker's work better, we can research the social and economic conditions in the Netherlands during the 19th century. We can also look at the history of Dutch art institutions. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.