Het Kasteel Tongelaar bij Gassel 1632 - 1666

Jan Beerstraten’s delicate drawing depicts Het Kasteel Tongelaar bij Gassel in the Netherlands, likely made in the mid-17th century. The image shows the castle surrounded by water, evoking the geography of the Netherlands, a country in which the landscape is dominated by water. Castles in the Netherlands had been both symbols of aristocratic power and strategic military sites, but by the time this drawing was made, many had lost their martial function. It is reasonable to ask whether this drawing is a form of social commentary. Is it a nostalgic vision of feudal power? The detailed rendering of the castle suggests an antiquarian interest in historical buildings, a theme that had parallels in contemporary painting and printmaking. By using historical and archeological records, we can learn more about the social function of such images. Were they made for a limited circle of collectors? Or were they made for a wider public? The answers to these questions can help us to understand the role of art in Dutch society.