Landschap met heuvels en ossen 1748 - 1806

This is Edward Edwards's "Landschap met heuvels en ossen", an etching, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Edwards lived in a time of immense social and intellectual change, deeply shaped by the Enlightenment and the rise of industrialization, both of which influenced the aesthetics of landscape art. While landscape paintings were becoming increasingly fashionable, they often represented an idealized version of nature, reflecting the social and economic transformations of the period. This etching situates two oxen amid an uncultivated landscape, but it speaks to a world of labor, rural life, and a changing relationship with the land. Unlike the more dramatic landscapes that gained popularity, here Edwards highlights the quieter, more pastoral elements. Consider how the etching invites you to reflect on the relationship between nature, labor, and society during a period of significant transition. Its relatively small scale creates an intimate experience, drawing you into a contemplative space.