Geit die zich op de kop krabt 1799 - 1874

Hendrik Jozef Franciscus van der Poorten created this etching of a goat scratching its head sometime in the first half of the 19th century. At this time in the Netherlands, the art world was dominated by genre paintings and landscapes, with an emphasis on realism. This etching creates meaning through its depiction of everyday life, a common theme in Dutch art. The detailed lines capture the goat's fur and posture, highlighting the animal's natural behavior. The work reflects a growing interest in the natural world. To truly understand this etching, we need to consider the socio-economic context of the Netherlands in the 19th century, a time of agricultural development and shifting relationships between humans and animals. Art historical resources, such as exhibition catalogs and artists' biographies, can help us understand the cultural values that shaped Van der Poorten's work. This etching reminds us that art is always embedded in a specific time and place.