Gezicht op het eerste gesticht in de kolonie Veenhuizen 1827

Alexandre Joseph Boens made this print of the Veenhuizen penal colony in the Netherlands, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It presents a neat and orderly view of a complex where the poor, vagrant, and orphaned were put to work on the land. The image creates meaning through its emphasis on agriculture, industry and social control. Veenhuizen was founded in 1823, during a period of social upheaval and economic hardship in the Netherlands. The colony was intended to be a solution to these problems, providing a place where the “unproductive” members of society could be reformed through labor. But the reality was often harsh, with poor living conditions and little opportunity for advancement. Understanding the social and institutional context of this image requires us to consult archives, government documents, and personal accounts. The historian pieces together a narrative, mindful of art's capacity to reflect, reinforce, or challenge existing social norms.