Turfsteken door monniken, ca. 1300 1865 - 1870

Hendrik Sluyter created this print called 'Turfsteken door monniken' around 1860-1930, etching on paper. Though the artist lived in the 19th and 20th century, he transports us back to around 1300. Here, monks are cutting peat, a fuel source, in a flat landscape. This image reflects the 19th-century interest in the medieval period, particularly the role of the church. In the Netherlands, monasteries often held significant land and played a role in land management and economic activities. The depiction of monks engaged in manual labor reflects a changing view of labor itself and the role of religious institutions. Was the artist interested in progressive social reform? Archival records, such as monastery documents, land surveys, and economic histories, could reveal more about the relationship between religious orders and the Dutch landscape. Such research may offer deeper insight into the social commentaries present here.