Rivierlandschap met kasteel 1769

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this river landscape with a castle using etching techniques. Bendorp was working during the late 18th century. This was a time of significant political and social upheaval, including the rise of revolutionary ideas about liberty, equality, and fraternity. Landscape art such as this one was often commissioned by wealthy landowners, and this print flattens and makes picturesque the realities of feudalism. While on its surface this image appears to be a simple, charming scene, we must consider the historical and social context. As you gaze upon this landscape, think about the lives of those who were excluded from this idyllic vision. Consider the labor and resources extracted from the land and its people to construct such a castle, and the power dynamics inherent in its presence.