Landscape with a Canal and Swan 1650

This etching of a ‘Landscape with a Canal and Swan’ was made by Rembrandt van Rijn in the Dutch Republic in the mid-17th century. Small works like this remind us that there was a market for art outside the traditional institutions. Landscape etchings were made to be sold as prints to private collectors. The focus on a common rural scene suggests that this work was made for a middle-class urban audience who wanted a reminder of the countryside in their homes. The Dutch Republic was one of the most urbanized societies in 17th century Europe, and this etching allows us to reflect on the changing relationship of the Dutch to the land, as the country became more urban and mercantile. By looking at the archives of collectors, dealers, and printmakers, we can learn more about the public role of art in 17th century Netherlands.