Het Huis Weerdestijn bij Langbroek Possibly 1751 - 1759

Paulus van Liender created this drawing of Het Huis Weerdestijn in Langbroek in September 1751. We see a square tower surrounded by a moat and trees. The tower itself appears somewhat dilapidated, hinting at the passage of time and perhaps a decline in the fortunes of its owners. The cultural and institutional context of the Dutch Republic in the mid-18th century is crucial here. While the Golden Age of the 17th century had brought prosperity, by this time, the Republic was facing economic and political challenges. The elite class, to which the owners of such houses belonged, were keen to display their status through property. Artists like Van Liender found a market in depicting these symbols of wealth and power. Historical research into the families who owned these estates, coupled with an understanding of the economic conditions of the time, help us to understand the social role of art and the politics of imagery in the Dutch Republic.