Boeren met vee 1697 - 1725

Editor: Here we have "Boeren met vee," or "Farmers with Cattle," a print made sometime between 1697 and 1725. It's by Joseph Mulder and housed here at the Rijksmuseum. The crosshatching is fascinating. It seems to create depth while also flattening the composition. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The success of this engraving hinges on its meticulous execution. Note how the linear quality delineates the forms, giving structure and a certain weight. The contrast is compelling, with stark blacks set against the off-whites, isn't it? Editor: It is. The density of the lines really does give some sections more visual weight than others. Is the perspective consistent, though? The scale seems skewed in parts. Curator: Indeed. But it is precisely in that deviation from strict representation that the engraving finds its voice. Consider how the varying density contributes to the work’s rhythm. Does the Latin text included change your sense of its composition or construction? Editor: It does a little, because I was thinking about the placement of objects in space. But the text is like another object in the piece – and creates an area of contrast against other densely hatched spots in the foreground. I see what you mean! Curator: Yes, exactly. And the formal arrangement invites contemplation on the symbolic order within the work. The semiotics of its shapes provide context to its creation. Editor: Thanks. It's helpful to think beyond the surface and consider how the techniques used really shape how we understand the piece. Curator: My pleasure. It's fascinating how a deep dive into formal construction reveals much more than initially meets the eye.