Stadsgezicht met aangemeerde roeiboot 1613 - 1695

Nicolas Perelle created this small etching of a cityscape with an anchored rowing boat in the 17th century. The scene is alive with figures busying themselves along the water’s edge, dwarfed by the imposing architecture of the city. During Perelle’s time, art often served as a tool for constructing identity and reflecting social hierarchies. The detailed depiction of the city, with its high walls and grand buildings, speaks to power and order. Meanwhile, the figures in the foreground, engaged in labor, highlight the societal structures that supported such grandeur. This work subtly touches on themes of class and labor, inviting us to consider how these elements shape our understanding of both historical and contemporary cityscapes. How do we find ourselves in this picture?