Boer 1867 - 1890

Editor: So, this is Philip Zilcken's "Boer," an etching from somewhere between 1867 and 1890, now at the Rijksmuseum. There's a lonely figure there, looks like a farmer maybe. It has this really quiet, almost somber mood to it. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, considering the period, the etching resonates with a wider artistic interest in representing rural labor and peasant life. Zilcken was working during a time of huge social and economic change, industrialization, urbanization…How do you think that may affect how we look at the work? Editor: I guess it highlights the romanticized view of the countryside and maybe the perceived simplicity of that way of life, compared to the chaos of industrial cities? Curator: Precisely. Also consider the term ‘Boer’ itself, Dutch for farmer, which takes on greater historical weight in light of the Boer Wars. How do you read the figure's stance and clothing, knowing this socio-political backdrop? Editor: He seems downtrodden. The clothing looks worn. Maybe Zilcken is subtly commenting on the struggles of rural populations, even decades before the Boer Wars escalated? Curator: It's a very evocative interpretation! Think about the rise of Realism in art during this time. Zilcken, like other Realist artists, turned his attention to everyday life, aiming to depict it without idealization. Do you think the etching achieves this sense of unvarnished realism? Editor: Definitely. It’s not glorifying farm life; it’s showing what looks like a pretty harsh reality. I learned a lot. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Looking at art through the lens of social and political history certainly gives us much richer understanding, don’t you think?