Bospad Possibly 1630 - 1717

Anthonie Waterloo created this etching of a wooded path, or 'Bospad', in the Netherlands, sometime in the 17th century. The image presents us with a tranquil forest scene, a popular subject in Dutch Golden Age art. But it's worth asking, what made these kinds of images so appealing to the Dutch public at this time? Well, the 17th century was a period of great economic and social change in the Netherlands. As the country urbanized and commercialized, the natural world became increasingly idealized as a space of escape and recreation. Waterloo's etching reflects this cultural shift, and it is important to remember that our experience of art is deeply intertwined with the society that produces it. To fully understand a work like this, we need to consider its historical context, and turn to sources like period writings, economic data, and social histories.