Air, plate two from The Four Elements 1622

Jan van de Velde II created "Air, plate two from The Four Elements" as an engraving. During the 17th century, the Dutch Republic experienced a Golden Age of economic and cultural flourishing, with art playing a crucial role in shaping national identity and values. Here, a horse-drawn carriage conveys privileged figures through the landscape accompanied by riders, dogs, and attendants. There is a sense of movement, and the element of air is represented by the open sky with birds flying in it. This image reflects the social hierarchy of the time, contrasting the opulence of the passengers with the labor of those assisting their travels. Note the detailed rendering of the figures and animals, which reflects an attempt to represent the natural world but also an implicit commentary on wealth, labor, and the environment. This print evokes both the beauty and the inequalities inherent in the Dutch Golden Age. It reminds us to consider the unseen labor that supports privilege, even as we appreciate the artistic achievements of the era.