Riviergezicht 1777

Johanna de Bruyn created this tiny etching, Riviergezicht, in 1777. De Bruyn was working during a period where the Dutch art world was still dominated by men, so her choice to become an artist was in itself a statement. This pastoral scene depicts figures on a bridge and in a boat on a river. Through its intimate scale, it invites us to explore the quiet corners of 18th-century Dutch life. The very act of rendering the scene as an etching speaks volumes. Unlike the large-scale oil paintings that often glorified wealth and power, this small print offers a glimpse into the everyday. It may seem simple, but consider what it meant for a woman artist to depict the world around her during this time. She offers a view of the landscape, society and culture which is not of military or religious power, but of local nature and community. As you stand here, take a moment to consider the subtle act of resistance in choosing such a subject.