Cart Drawn by Two Pairs of Oxen in a Storm c. 17th century

Sebastien Bourdon made this print of a cart drawn by oxen during a storm sometime in the 17th century. Notice the contrast between the powerful forces of nature and the humble figures of the peasant and his animals. Bourdon was French, and this image reflects the increasing interest in landscape during that period, particularly the taste for dramatic and even sublime natural scenes. But it also speaks to the social and economic realities of the time. The peasants were at the bottom of the social hierarchy and were the most vulnerable to the unpredictable forces of nature and society. Prints like this one were made and sold as luxury items for a wealthy elite who were largely isolated from the hardships of rural life. To fully understand such images we rely on a range of historical methods, delving into everything from economic data to the history of printmaking and collecting. In doing so, we start to understand the complex relationship between art and society in the 17th century.