Berglandschap met bomen en een bron Possibly 1614 - 1833

This landscape with trees and a fountain was etched by Cornelis Danckerts in the Netherlands, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. This tiny print, barely larger than a postcard, is a window into the Dutch Republic's evolving relationship with nature and art. You see, landscape imagery gained immense popularity during this period. As Dutch society flourished economically, a new merchant class emerged with money to spend on art. But rather than commissioning portraits of themselves, they developed a taste for landscapes. Danckerts's print captures this shift perfectly. Notice the contrast between the wild, untamed nature and the classical architectural structure, a fountain. It’s a subtle reflection of the Dutch Republic's self-image: a nation forging its own identity and prosperity, mastering both nature and culture. Understanding this image requires us to look beyond its surface. By exploring the economic and social transformations of the Dutch Golden Age, we can appreciate the rich symbolism embedded within this seemingly simple landscape.