Gezicht op Kasteel Heeswijk 1892

This is an undated photograph titled ‘Gezicht op Kasteel Heeswijk’ made by an anonymous photographer working for Monumentenzorg, a Dutch national heritage organisation. Photographs of castles often evoke a sense of romanticism, yet we also need to think about the cultural weight that such buildings carry. Who inhabited this castle? What kind of power did they wield? How did that power affect the lives of ordinary people? Castles are not just picturesque relics of the past, they also symbolize very real social hierarchies. It’s easy to get lost in the fairy tale, but let’s not forget the historical context of privilege and labor that underpins such grand structures. Think about who was allowed inside versus those who remained outside. This image offers a stark reminder of the importance of critically examining the narratives we inherit and considering whose stories are often left untold.