Twee naast elkaar liggende varkens 1812

Jean Bernard made this drawing of two pigs lying side-by-side with graphite, sometime before 1833. It's a remarkable rendering, given its medium and the way it captures the texture and bulk of these farm animals. Drawings like this one remind us of the deep connection between art and agriculture in the Netherlands. From the Golden Age onward, Dutch artists have portrayed the everyday life of the countryside, including its animals, with striking realism. But these images also had a social dimension. They reflected a growing sense of national identity and pride in the Dutch landscape and its agricultural traditions. To fully appreciate this work, we need to consider the social and economic forces that shaped Dutch art and culture. By exploring historical archives, agricultural records, and artistic treatises, we can gain a deeper understanding of the public role of art and the politics of imagery in the Netherlands.