Decor met de boerenwoning in de Nieuwe Schouwburg te Amsterdam 1790

This print by Cornelis Brouwer captures a scene from Amsterdam's Nieuwe Schouwburg, or New Theater. The image shows us the final act of a play called “De Drie Landbouwers”, or “The Three Farmers”. Focusing on the stage set, we see a detailed depiction of a rural dwelling, complete with domestic interiors. What is interesting here is the contrast between the sophisticated, neoclassical architecture of the theater itself, and the rustic scene being portrayed on stage. What is the relationship between them? The theater was an institution that was undergoing significant change in the 18th century. Public theaters were becoming increasingly popular as commercial ventures. This print offers a window onto how cultural institutions like the theater shaped the reception of different social classes. Were the urban audiences laughing at the farmers? Scholars can explore the play itself, theater records, and social histories of Amsterdam to better understand the complex relationship between the city and the countryside.