De Achterweg in Voorschoten 1748 - 1771

Jacob Elias La Fargue rendered this detailed drawing of the Achterweg in Voorschoten, likely in the 1760s, using pen and brown ink, with brush in brown and gray. La Fargue here gives us a glimpse into the everyday life of a Dutch village street. The image offers more than just a visual record; it invites us to consider the social dynamics and the prevailing cultural norms of the time. Note how the church spire dominates the scene, an ever-present reminder of the religious life that would have structured the community. Also, observe the figures populating the street – their clothing, their activities, from the gentry in a horse-drawn carriage to the farmer with his dog - these details offer insights into the social hierarchy of the Dutch Republic. To truly understand this drawing, we need to delve into the archives, to study maps and civic records. We need to research the religious life, and the social structures of 18th-century Voorschoten. This drawing, therefore, is not simply an aesthetic object, but a valuable historical document.