Paviljoen Welgelegen te Haarlem, ca. 1825 1824 - 1830

Roelof van der Meulen created this watercolor of the Paviljoen Welgelegen in Haarlem around 1825, capturing a moment in the Netherlands shortly after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Notice the architectural grandeur of the Pavilion, which was originally designed as a showpiece of Dutch wealth and power. The figures populating the foreground offer a glimpse into the social hierarchy of the time. We see the gentry in their horse-drawn carriage contrasted against the more humbly dressed individuals on foot, which evokes questions about access and privilege inherent in Dutch society. The serene facade of the Pavilion masks the complex negotiations of class and social standing that define the era. Van der Meulen's choice to depict this scene invites us to consider how spaces of leisure and beauty are often backdrops for the enactment of social roles and power dynamics. The painting serves as a gentle reminder of the intertwined nature of personal experience and societal structures.