Boerderij aan een weg c. 1827 - 1879

Remigius Adrianus Haanen made this etching, titled 'Boerderij aan een weg' which translates to 'Farm on a road' in Dutch. Haanen lived during a time of significant social change in the Netherlands, influenced by both the aftermath of the Napoleonic era and the rising tide of national consciousness. This etching invites us into a seemingly quiet, rural scene but it is also a reflection of broader cultural dynamics. The farm, rendered with meticulous detail, isn't just a structure; it's a symbol of Dutch identity rooted in the land. Haanen's choice to depict this scene can be seen as a nostalgic look at the traditional way of life, even as industrialization began to encroach upon the Dutch landscape. The dirt road leading to the farm suggests a journey, inviting the viewer to consider their own connection to the land and to question the changing social fabric of the Netherlands at the time. It evokes a sense of longing for a simpler, perhaps idealized, past.