Gezicht op de Veeartsenijschool te Utrecht 1856

Pieter Wilhelmus van de Weijer made this print of the Veterinary School in Utrecht sometime in the mid-19th century. This work provides an interesting view into the history of institutions and professionalization. Veterinary medicine was undergoing significant changes in the 19th century, shifting from traditional practices to a more scientific and standardized approach. Schools like the one depicted here played a crucial role in this transition. The architecture of the school itself, with its classical facade, suggests a sense of authority and establishment. Consider the social context of the time: the Netherlands was experiencing a period of modernization and industrialization. The rise of veterinary schools reflected a growing concern for animal health, particularly in agriculture, which was vital to the Dutch economy. Further research into the archives of the school and agricultural reports of the time would shed light on the social and economic forces that shaped its development.