Herfst 1662 - 1683

Editor: This etching, "Herfst," made between 1662 and 1683 by Jan van Almeloveen, has such a detailed landscape in a tight, almost diamond shape. It feels almost like peeking into another world, but one definitely marked by labor. What story do you think Almeloveen is trying to tell here? Curator: That’s a great initial observation. Notice how the etching portrays both an idealized landscape and the everyday labor of ordinary people. Considering the Dutch Golden Age’s emphasis on trade and prosperity, and bearing in mind the stark power dynamics of the era, Almeloveen may be subtly highlighting the unseen labor that makes the beautiful cityscape possible. What do you think of the relationship between the workers in the foreground and the more distant depiction of the town? Editor: I see what you mean. The laborers, who are clearly working, are given as much visual weight as the cityscape with the castle and church, maybe implying their integral role. But that’s also complicated. Aren’t they separated, almost as if they occupy entirely different worlds within the same frame? Curator: Exactly. This separation invites us to question whose stories get told and remembered. Who had the power to commission and consume these images of landscape? Who did that power exclude? Considering this print probably circulated amongst a wealthy elite, does the image unintentionally expose an uneasy social commentary on labor, class, and landscape? Editor: So the idyllic landscape also tells a story about class and labor, who it serves, and whose work remains unacknowledged. That adds so much complexity to what I initially saw as just a pretty scene. Curator: Indeed. By looking closely, we reveal the threads that connect art to the broader social fabric, allowing us to explore hidden narratives of the past. Editor: This has really broadened my understanding, making me consider the various social dimensions woven into what I assumed was just a pleasing landscape.