Woekeraar 1778 - 1785

"Woekeraar" (Usurer) is an etching by Noach van der (II) Meer, dating from 1778-1785. The artwork, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts two men, likely a usurer and his victim, standing outside a building. The usurer is gesturing towards the building with a confident expression, while the other man looks down with a dejected air. This portrayal of a social commentary, with the inscription 'De Woekeraar' (The Usurer), reflects the common anxieties of the Dutch society during the 18th century. The etching's stark realism and depiction of the social ills of the time are typical of Dutch art of the era.