Stal met koeien, kippen en een varken 1867 - 1874

Jan Mesker made this etching of a cowshed in the Netherlands sometime in the late nineteenth century. It presents a scene of rural life. A mix of animals populate a dimly lit space. The image creates meaning through its depiction of the everyday. During this time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes, with increasing industrialization and urbanization. This artwork reflects a nostalgic view of the countryside, offering a contrast to the rapidly changing urban landscape. It invites viewers to reflect on the value of rural traditions in the face of modernity. Historians can use resources, such as agricultural records, social surveys, and writings of the time, to understand the social and institutional context that shaped this artwork. By exploring the socio-economic conditions of the late nineteenth century, we can gain insight into the appeal and significance of this image of rural life. Art is thus understood as contingent on its social context.