Rivierlandschap met figuren langs de waterkant c. 1733 - 1762

Jean Moyreau created this river landscape with figures along the waterfront as an etching, but we don’t know exactly when. The etching depicts a scene of everyday life set against the backdrop of a river landscape, it offers a glimpse into the social and economic activities of its time. Made in the style of the Dutch Golden Age, the image creates meaning through its detailed depiction of figures engaged in various activities, such as fishing, riding horses, and resting by the riverbank. It reflects the values and priorities of the emerging merchant class. Through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations, the etching comments on the social structures of its time. It presents a view of society that is both idealized and grounded in the realities of daily life. To understand this artwork better, we might want to research the history of printmaking in the Netherlands, as well as the social and economic conditions that shaped its production and reception.