Geiten en koeien bij een ronde toren met een obelisk Possibly 1600 - 1760

Moyses van Wtenbrouck made this etching of goats and cows by a round tower and obelisk sometime in the first half of the 17th century. Dutch artists during this period became well-known for their landscape paintings, often featuring low horizons to emphasize the dramatic skies. This etching is an example of that genre. But Wtenbrouck’s landscape is distinctive because it also incorporates classical architectural features like an obelisk and a round tower. These elements give the scene a sense of history, suggesting that even simple rural life exists within a broader cultural and historical framework. The etching was produced at a time when the Dutch Republic was expanding its economic and political power. The classical elements in the etching reflect a broader interest in classical culture, which was seen as a source of wisdom and authority. To fully understand a work like this, we need to look at the social and political context in which it was created. By studying the history of the Dutch Republic and the classical tradition, we can gain a deeper understanding of the values and beliefs that shaped this image.