Twee geiten in een weide 1879 - 1932

Adolf Eduard Herstein made this etching of ‘Two Goats in a Meadow’ without a known date. Herstein was born in the Netherlands during a time when there was an intensified focus on national identity through art. The image portrays a pastoral scene with two goats grazing. In the background, a figure stands in the field amongst the livestock. Consider that the figure is a shepherd, an archetype with a strong presence in Dutch art as a symbol of rural life and national character. Herstein’s choice to depict the goats in a meadow suggests an interest in capturing the essence of the Dutch landscape and perhaps a longing for a simpler, agrarian past. While seemingly straightforward, the image also reflects complex dynamics of labor and class. Rural life often romanticized in art glosses over the harsh realities faced by agricultural workers. Through this piece, we might ask ourselves questions about the value and the representation of the working class in the Netherlands at the turn of the century. The artwork thus functions as both a reflection of national identity and a commentary on the socio-economic conditions of the time.