Herfst after 1570

This engraving, “Herfst” (Autumn) was created after 1570 by Pieter van der Heyden, a 16th-century Dutch artist. It depicts a lively scene of autumn harvest activities, with a group of people preparing a pig for slaughter and other villagers working in the fields or by a well. The detailed rendering and use of light and shadow contribute to the sense of realism and the portrayal of everyday life. The artwork highlights the importance of the harvest season and the cyclical nature of life in the countryside. “Herfst” is an important example of the Dutch Golden Age art and is on display at the Rijksmuseum.