De slapende boer van Stolwijk, 1707 1707

Carel Allard created this print, "The Sleeping Farmer of Stolwijk," in 1707 using etching. It's a fascinating window into the social and political anxieties of the Dutch Republic during the early 18th century. The image presents a satirical commentary on the state of affairs. We see a sleeping farmer, oblivious to the troubles surrounding him, while allegorical figures and symbolic scenes hint at political turmoil. Consider the context: The Dutch Republic was facing economic decline and internal divisions. Allard uses visual codes – the sleeping farmer representing complacency, the surrounding scenes depicting threats from both land and sea – to critique the perceived apathy of the Dutch people. To fully understand this print, we need to explore the history of the Dutch Republic, its economic struggles, and the political factions vying for power. By looking at pamphlets, newspapers, and other period documents, we can better grasp the social conditions that shaped Allard’s commentary. The meaning of art shifts depending on its social and institutional context.