Roeiboten 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos made this print of rowboats, though we don’t know exactly when. Van den Bos lived through the social and political upheavals of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The print presents an idyllic scene of everyday life. Yet, the presence of laborers suggests the economic realities of the time. The contrast between the serene landscape and the working figures invites us to consider how different social classes experienced the same environment. Notice how van den Bos has captured the reflections in the water, juxtaposing the natural beauty with signs of human labor. As you look, consider how the artist’s own background might have influenced his interpretation and presentation of this scene. How does it speak to our contemporary understanding of labor, class, and the environment?