Gezicht op landhuis De Wildbaan, Driebergen, met sneeuw 1903 - 1907

This photogravure by Henry Pauw van Wieldrecht captures a snow-covered view of the country house De Wildbaan in Driebergen. The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of significant social stratification, where access to such estates symbolized wealth and status. The artist's choice to depict this scene, likely reflects his own position within this hierarchy. As you gaze at the snow-laden trees and the imposing architecture, consider what it meant to belong, and what it meant to be excluded from such worlds. The monochrome palette evokes a sense of stillness, perhaps mirroring the quiet isolation experienced by those within its walls during the harsh winter months, while contrasting sharply with the lives of those laboring outside in the cold. As you move on, reflect on the ways in which images of wealth and privilege continue to shape our perceptions and aspirations, and on the emotional distance that such representations can create.