Landschap met boerderij en hooiwagen Possibly 1744 - 1748

Editor: This is "Landscape with Farm and Hay Wagon," likely from between 1744 and 1748, by Christian Ludwig von Hagedorn, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. It’s an engraving, almost entirely lines creating shape, shade, and texture. It evokes a simple, rural life. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: The imagery of rural life, seemingly simple as you point out, takes on fascinating dimensions when considering the social and economic transformations of the 18th century. How do you think this image functions for its intended audience? Editor: Well, considering it's an engraving and could be reproduced, maybe it was for people in cities who longed for a more natural setting? Curator: Exactly! The proliferation of prints like these coincides with increasing urbanization and a growing fascination, particularly amongst the emerging middle class, with the countryside. Was this image meant to simply reflect rural life, or to shape a particular understanding of it? Editor: Shape it, I guess. It seems quite idealized. No obvious poverty or hardship is depicted, and a beautiful countryside with animals doing all the hard work. Curator: Precisely. It offers a carefully curated version of rural existence, reinforcing the dominant societal perspectives that valued land ownership and agricultural productivity. These images helped shape perceptions and even policies regarding the rural population. How do you see museums today engaging with pieces such as this one to reflect contemporary values? Editor: I guess they could juxtapose them with works showing the harsh realities of the time. To show how selective these romantic images truly were, and also discuss their role in supporting social structures. Curator: Precisely! I think this idealized landscape, at first glance simple, reminds us about the intersection of art, social class, and politics during a period of considerable cultural shift. Editor: I never thought about landscape in that way, how powerful it can be as propaganda! Thank you for pointing that out.