Landschap met vee 1791 - 1798

J.L.L.C. Zentner’s ‘Landschap met vee’ is an etching showing a rural scene. The idealized landscape with grazing livestock in the foreground, the prominent tree, and the distant church all invoke a particular set of social values. This kind of image was popular in the Netherlands and across Europe in the 18th century. It romanticizes country life, suggesting a natural harmony between humans, animals, and the land. But such images often mask the realities of rural poverty and social inequality. The church in the background represents a powerful institution, both spiritual and economic, and we should consider whose interests are being served by this tranquil scene. Is it a truthful reflection or a carefully constructed fiction? To understand this work, we need to research the social and economic conditions of the time, looking at land ownership, agricultural practices, and the role of the church. This would allow us to explore the politics of such imagery.