Pissend schaap 1791 - 1839

Pieter Gerardus van Os made this etching of a sheep around the turn of the 19th century in the Netherlands. Van Os's seemingly straightforward depiction of rural life invites us to consider the socio-economic context of art production during this period. In the Dutch Golden Age, animal paintings were in high demand among the rising merchant classes, eager to display their wealth and affinity for rural life. Van Os extends this tradition into a new century. The image subtly reflects a changing Dutch society. While the etching celebrates the pastoral, it also implicitly acknowledges the economic importance of livestock and the rise of agrarian capitalism. The artist, trained in the classical tradition at the Hague Academy, infuses his realistic rendering with a sense of order reflecting the values of the institutions that shaped him. Historical research into Dutch agricultural practices and art market dynamics would further illuminate the social forces behind Van Os's artistic choices.