Boer met zijn dieren op de vlucht voor een orkaan 1838

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print of a “Boer met zijn dieren op de vlucht voor een orkaan” or “Farmer fleeing a hurricane with his animals” using etching with chisel around the mid-1800s. At the time, Dutch Romanticism emphasized the individual's connection to nature, and this is seen through the farmer’s struggle. The artwork offers a glimpse into the lives of rural communities and the challenges they faced during the 19th century. The representation of the farmer as a white male is very telling of gendered divisions of labor and the social hierarchy prevalent at the time. What is particularly striking is the intertwined fates of humans and animals. The image suggests a shared vulnerability that transcends species. Last's print is more than a historical depiction; it's an emotional narrative, capturing the raw, unfiltered reality of life amidst the elements. It challenges us to consider our relationship with the environment.