Boerderij met op het erf een koe, twee schapen en een ezel 1789 - 1793

Editor: This ink drawing by Hendrik Meijer, created between 1789 and 1793, titled "Farmhouse with a cow, two sheep and a donkey in the yard", feels incredibly detailed. It gives such a serene, almost idealized view of rural life. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: What I find fascinating is how this idyllic scene functions as a visual document of the late 18th century, particularly concerning social class. While it presents a peaceful, almost romanticized version of farm life, consider who this artwork was likely intended for. Editor: You mean, it probably wasn't for the farmers themselves? Curator: Precisely. Drawings like this were more likely purchased and appreciated by the rising merchant class or the landed gentry. It feeds into a particular vision of the rural landscape, often masking the hardships and labor associated with agrarian life. This connects with similar trends across Europe where the wealthy were building follies dressed up as simple villages. Editor: So, it's less a direct representation and more a curated vision, almost a fantasy? Curator: Exactly! The presence of the animals, the meticulously rendered thatch roof – all elements contribute to a constructed image of harmony with nature. Notice how it excludes evidence of actual labour - is anyone actually *working* in this image? These depictions served social purposes. What purpose do you think these images could have served in that historical context? Editor: I suppose they affirmed a particular social order and reassured those in power about the stability and charm of their nation's agrarian roots, maybe to mask or downplay the French Revolution currently ongoing? Curator: Good insight! I've always appreciated the social dimensions in seemingly straightforward artworks like this one. Editor: That’s fascinating! It really changes how I see it, recognizing the audience and the possible social implications behind this tranquil scene.