Boerenkermis 1828

This is William Young Ottley's etching, "Boerenkermis" which translates to "Peasant Festival", now held at the Rijksmuseum. In this busy scene, we see revelry, dancing, drinking, and general merriment. Looking at the image, one might consider the politics of imagery. Made in the late 18th and early 19th century, the etching reflects the era's fascination with the lives of ordinary people. The Dutch "kermis" tradition, a kind of local fair, becomes a stage for Ottley to explore social class. Here, we observe visual codes of dress and behavior which may be self-consciously conservative, as Ottley was part of a genteel collecting culture and sometimes a dealer of old master prints. For us, understanding this work better means delving into the institutional history of museums and print collecting, alongside researching Dutch peasant culture of the period. Ultimately, the meaning of this art is contingent on social and institutional contexts.