De Pratende Put 1874 - 1925

Jan Veth created this print called 'De Pratende Put', or 'The Talking Well', using etching. In the late 19th century, Veth was part of a movement that aimed to elevate printmaking to the level of fine art. This etching captures a young woman in traditional Dutch attire, barefoot and leaning against a well. The well itself, an age-old symbol of community and truth, seems to whisper secrets, while the woman appears caught in thought. The barefootedness and the traditional clothing contrast with the urbanizing world, evoking a sense of longing for simpler times. Veth, deeply involved in the social and political dialogues of his time, often explored themes of identity and tradition in the face of modernity. His art invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between progress and nostalgia.