Greenwich 1637

Wenceslaus Hollar created this etching of Greenwich, offering us a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding landscape. Hollar, who was born in Prague, spent much of his career documenting European cities, capturing not just their physical appearance but also their evolving identities. As an immigrant himself, his gaze might have been that of an outsider looking in, which perhaps allowed him to appreciate and depict these urban spaces with a unique perspective. Greenwich, with its bustling river traffic and verdant hills, comes across as a place of commerce and leisure. But what stories lie beneath the surface of this seemingly serene vista? Who are the people that inhabit this space? Whose labor sustained this economy? What does it mean to belong and what are the unspoken rules that define this community? Hollar's etching is a window into a world that beckons us to reflect on the complexities of place, identity, and belonging.