Hoe wordt dit schoon geboomt' verzorgd, door maagden en door knapen! / Een enkle, (die wis zieklyk is,) ligt aan den voet te slapen 1806 - 1830

Gerrit Oortman created this print, "Hoe wordt dit schoon geboomt' verzorgd, door maagden en door knapen!" sometime before his death in 1822. It’s a hand-colored engraving which seems to speak to a celebration of nature and youth. Made in the Netherlands, the print shows young people tending to trees, with some in the branches and others at the base, one asleep. The Dutch Golden Age had long passed, but the cultural fascination with nature and idyllic scenes remained. The paired images and accompanying text suggest a commentary on the seasons or the stages of life, common themes in Dutch art. We might see this as a reflection on social harmony, with each person contributing to the care of nature. To fully understand Oortman’s print, we would want to delve into the popular culture of the time, looking at similar prints, poems, and songs. The Rijksmuseum's collection, along with period literature, would provide valuable context. The meaning of this artwork lies not just in its visual appeal but in its connection to the social and cultural values of its time.