Os en schaap 1632 - 1679

Jan Jansz. den Uyl II created this etching, titled "Os en schaap," meaning "ox and sheep" in Dutch, sometime in the mid-17th century. The image captures a bucolic scene. But, of course, we can't help but wonder what the public role of art was at this time. Made in the Netherlands during its Golden Age, this modest print reflects the growing urban market for landscape imagery. As Dutch cities prospered, wealthy merchants sought art that celebrated their nation's natural beauty and agricultural wealth. Den Uyl's detailed rendering of livestock and rural scenery catered to this demand. In terms of institutional context, prints like this one were often sold in print shops or by itinerant vendors, making art more accessible to a wider audience than traditional paintings. If we dig into the archives, we may find this print in period inventories of art collector's, and perhaps references to it in contemporary literature. Such research can help us better understand the artwork's reception and meaning in its own time.