Maart, landschap met een regenbui 1614

Andries Stock created this landscape etching of March in the Netherlands sometime between 1572 and 1648. He was working during the Eighty Years’ War, a period of upheaval as the Dutch fought for independence from Spanish rule. The etching portrays a society enduring hardship. Stark lines render a landscape swept by rain, where the figures are bent against the elements. The figures on horseback stand out, while those on foot are more vulnerable. Stock’s choice to center the working class highlights their resilience, even as the downpour obscures their features and softens the contrast. The viewer is encouraged to reflect on the themes of endurance, social difference, and the relationship between humanity and nature. Although somber, this artwork, with its attention to daily life, speaks to the spirit of a people striving for autonomy and dignity. It's a portrayal of a community deeply entwined with its environment, finding strength in each other amid adversity.