Gezicht op een oever met herders en vee 1653

This is Jan van Goyen’s, "View of a Bank with Shepherds and Cattle", created with pen in grey. Van Goyen was a leading figure in the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic prosperity and cultural flourishing in the Netherlands. During this time, the Dutch identity was being shaped by the socio-economic transformations of the 17th century, and a growing sense of national pride was reflected in the art. Here, Van Goyen captures an idyllic scene of rural life, a subject that resonated deeply with the increasingly urban population of the Netherlands. Yet, the painting also serves as a reminder of the labor and resources that sustained this wealth. With its muted tones and serene composition, this drawing seems to invite us to reflect on our own relationship with the land and the complex dynamics that shape our society.