Boeren getroffen door runderpest, 1745 1745

Jan Smit II created this print in Amsterdam in 1745, representing the devastating effects of the Rinderpest, or cattle plague, in the Netherlands. The image connects divine judgment with agricultural disaster, highlighting the vulnerability of rural communities. Smit's composition creates meaning through stark visual contrasts. In the foreground, diseased cattle and distraught farmers symbolize the immediate suffering. In the background, an oblivious elite class rides in carriages, seemingly untouched by the crisis. This juxtaposition critiques the social inequalities of the time, commenting on the divide between the wealthy and the working class during a period of widespread hardship. The visual cues reflect a society grappling with disease, economic struggle, and questions of governance. Historical research into the economic policies and social structures of 18th-century Netherlands enriches our understanding of this print, offering a glimpse into the social conditions that shaped artistic production.