Hier is thans veel vreugd te vinden, als gij ziet aan deze vrinden, / In 't onbekend luilekkerland, een ieder heeft het abondant by Glenisson & Van Genechten

Hier is thans veel vreugd te vinden, als gij ziet aan deze vrinden, / In 't onbekend luilekkerland, een ieder heeft het abondant

1833 - 1900

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Artwork details

Medium
print, engraving
Dimensions
height 393 mm, width 315 mm
Copyright
Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Tags

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narrative-art

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print

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old engraving style

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line

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genre-painting

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engraving

About this artwork

This print, whose artists are Glenisson & Van Genechten, depicts a topsy-turvy world of abundance and leisure. With its roots in medieval folklore, "Cockaigne," or "Luilekkerland" in Dutch, represented a mythical land free from want and toil, a fantasy for the laboring classes. This dreamscape takes aim at the rigid social hierarchy and the harsh realities of daily life for the lower classes. Here, authority figures are ridiculed, and the usual rules of work and social order are gleefully overturned. One panel shows a man sleeping while a donkey brings him food, exemplifying a world where even animals serve human desires. Yet, the print also reveals anxieties about social roles and identity, as the fantasy of unlimited leisure is set against a backdrop of real hardship. The emotional appeal of such a fantasy is potent, offering a temporary escape from the drudgery of everyday existence. The scenes of plenty and relaxation resonate with a longing for a more just and equitable world. Through its satirical and whimsical vision, the print invites us to reflect on the values we hold dear.

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