Et bondeslagsmål 1751 - 1817

Georg Haas created this etching called 'Et bondeslagsmål'. Haas lived through an era of significant social stratification, and his work often reflects the lives and struggles of the lower classes. This piece throws us into the midst of a chaotic brawl. Think about the energy in this small scene – bodies entangled, faces contorted, all set against a stark landscape. It feels raw and unfiltered. Works like this often depicted peasants as crude and irrational, reinforcing class distinctions. But, there is also a sense of shared humanity. The artist invites us to consider the social conditions that might lead to such outbursts. Haas’s choice to focus on such a scene can be seen as a commentary on social tensions of his time. The image leaves you with a sense of the unrest bubbling beneath the surface of 18th-century society.