Twee stieren, de koppen bijeen c. 1657 - 1761

Marcus de Bye made this etching of two bulls butting heads sometime in the mid-17th century. It's a deceptively simple image, one that gains deeper resonance when we consider the world in which it was made. The Netherlands at this time was experiencing its Golden Age, an era defined by unparalleled economic prosperity and cultural flourishing. The Dutch Republic was a major center of trade and artistic production, with a wealthy merchant class eager to display its status through collecting art. Animal imagery was popular, reflecting the importance of agriculture and trade in livestock. De Bye would have trained within the Guild system and the etching was made as a print. In this context, the image reflects not just an interest in rural life but also the institutional forces that shaped artistic careers and tastes of the era. To fully understand it, you might consult guild records, economic histories, and period writings on art and culture to understand the social and economic context of its creation.