Boer en boerin in gesprek 1653 - 1672

Adriaen van de Velde created this print, "Boer en boerin in gesprek," or "Farmer and Wife Conversing," sometime in the mid-17th century. The image depicts a rural scene with a couple in conversation, accompanied by their dog. Made in the Netherlands during its Golden Age, the etching reflects the era's evolving social landscape. The Dutch Republic was experiencing significant economic growth and urbanization. Artists began to portray everyday life. Van de Velde's choice to depict peasants engages with the period’s broader interest in representing various social classes. It is a romanticized image of rural life at a time when the population was migrating to urban centers. Pictures such as this may have served as an encouragement to stay in the countryside. To fully appreciate van de Velde’s print, one might delve into the economic history of the Dutch Republic and the development of its art market. In doing so we recognize the painting as a product of its time.