Landschap met een ezeldrijver Possibly 1630 - 1832

Anthonie Waterloo created this landscape with an ass driver with etching. Born in the Dutch Republic, Waterloo specialized in landscapes. During the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, the Netherlands was undergoing significant economic and social changes. The art market flourished, and artists like Waterloo found opportunities to cater to the growing demand for art among the middle class. What is striking about this seemingly bucolic scene is how it encapsulates class distinctions in the early modern period. We see a rural worker, possibly a peasant, leading an ass. The ass, burdened with goods, becomes emblematic of the working class, a testament to the labor upon which society was built. The landscape here isn’t merely a backdrop; it's an active participant. Although seemingly conventional, Waterloo's decision to foreground the working class challenges aristocratic artistic norms. In doing so, he invites us to contemplate the lives and contributions of those who often remain unseen.