Twee grazende zwijnen 1657 - 1688

Marcus de Bye created this etching, "Two Grazing Swine," sometime in the 17th century in the Netherlands. At first glance, it’s a simple scene of rural life. But look closer: the humble subject matter, the close attention to the animals' textures, and the rustic architecture signal a shift in artistic values. The Dutch Golden Age saw the rise of genre painting and landscape art, celebrating everyday life and the natural world. This was a departure from the grand historical or religious paintings favored by the aristocracy. The detailed rendering of the pigs and the landscape around them reflects a growing interest in naturalism and a focus on the details of the observable world. For art historians, prints like this offer a window into the social and economic transformations of the time. Researching the printmaker’s clientele, the distribution networks for prints, and the contemporary reception of such images helps us understand the changing role of art in Dutch society.