Rivierlandschap met boerderij 1793 - 1835

François Joseph Pfeiffer II made this etching, Rivierlandschap met boerderij, in the early 19th century. It depicts a rural scene in the Netherlands, probably inspired by the artist's travels along the Rhine river. Here, we see the way Pfeiffer uses the art institution of printmaking to capture the experience of seeing the landscape. The image is composed around the river that reflects the farm. The river was an important feature of the Dutch landscape, used for transportation, trade, and irrigation. Pfeiffer subtly nods at the cultural significance of the natural world, especially in relation to the country’s economic structures. To understand Pfeiffer’s images better, we can look at other artworks of the time. By looking at the broader art world, as well as the economic conditions of the time, we can begin to see the way this image participates in a conversation about Dutch identity.