Aarde 1829 - 1880

This unsigned print, titled "Aarde," or "Earth" in Dutch, presents an allegorical figure surrounded by the bounty of the land. This kind of image was very popular in the 19th century. The representation of the Earth as a female figure connects to older traditions of representing abstract concepts in human form, like Justice, Liberty or, in this case, Nature. The figure's classical dress and serene expression align with the values of the time, emphasizing order and harmony. The Netherlands, like many European nations, was deeply engaged in agricultural production but also in colonial resource extraction. Visual codes like the horn of plenty would resonate with a society that relied on the Earth for its sustenance and prosperity. Understanding this print requires considering the economic structures of the time. Prints like this circulated widely, and we can look to archives and trade records to better understand the image's production and reception. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.