Haan 1872

Jan Gerard Smits created this etching of a rooster in 1873. Smits, working in the Netherlands, was part of a cultural context deeply rooted in agrarian life, where animals like roosters held symbolic weight beyond their barnyard roles. The rooster, often seen as a symbol of vigilance and masculinity, is rendered here with a striking level of detail. The cross-hatching technique adds depth and texture, emphasizing the rooster's proud stance. Consider how this representation plays into societal notions of masculinity and dominance, and the performance of these traits. The choice to depict such a subject during this era may also be a comment on the burgeoning industrial revolution and a longing for simpler, rural ways of life. This small etching, in its own way, captures a moment of cultural transition and the complex ways we relate to symbols of identity and place.