Staande boer met de handen op de rug 1646 - 1941

Adriaen van Ostade created this etching of a standing farmer with his hands on his back. This is an intimate glimpse into the life of a commoner, reflective of the cultural climate in the Netherlands. During the Dutch Golden Age, artists turned their attention to everyday life, capturing scenes of ordinary people. In this image, the farmer's posture and attire speak volumes about his social standing. His weathered face and simple clothing tell a story of hard labor and a life closely tied to the land. Ostade made this artwork during a time of economic prosperity and social change in the Netherlands. The rise of a wealthy merchant class created a demand for art that reflected their values and interests. Genre scenes like this one offered a glimpse into the lives of those outside the elite circles. To understand this piece better, we can look into Dutch social history of the time. Prints and other archive material will tell us more about the class structure that shaped the lives of people like this farmer.