Imker

About this artwork

Gebruikt als illustratie in een tweetalige editie van: Petrus Nyland, De Medicyn-Winckel, of ervaren huys-houder : zijnde het 3. deel van het Vermakelyck Landt-leven ... met ... den naerstigen byen-houder : noch is hier achter by-gevoeght den verstandigen kock, Amsterdam, 1668.

Art Historical Context

**Imker (Beekeeper)** *Gerbrand van den Eeckhout etching, 96 × 130 mm, ca. 1631–1668* Step into the bustling world of 17th-century Dutch rural life with Gerbrand van den Eeck's delicate etching *Imker*, or "Beekeeper." This intimate print captures the diligent figure of a beekeeper, embodying the era's fascination with practical trades and nature's bounty. Created during the Dutch Golden Age, it served as a vivid illustration in a 1668 bilingual edition ofus Nyland's *De Medicyn-Winckel, of ervaren huys-houder*—the third part of *Vermakelyck Landt-leven* (Pleasant Country Living). The book blends housekeeping wisdom, beekeeping expertise (*den naerstigen byen-houder*), and even cooking tips, reflecting Amsterdam's vibrant publishing scene and growing interest in self-sufficient living. Etching, van den Eeckhout's chosen medium, allowed for precise, intricate lines that translate beautifully to the page, making complex details like hives and tools pop in this compact 96 × 130 mm format. As a skilled printmaker, he contributed to the era's explosion of illustrated manuals, bridging art and everyday knowledge. Beekeeper imagery underscored honey's value for medicine, food, and candles, highlighting cultural reverence for apiculture in the Netherlands' fertile landscapes. This artwork invites us to appreciate how 17th-century artists like van den Eeckhout elevated humble professions, turning a simple trade into a window on harmonious human-nature bonds. A delightful gem for any virtual museum stroll! (198 words)

About the Artist

Gerbrand van den Eeckhout · 1621–1674

Comment on works: Religious; History; Portraits; Landscapes