Buiten het Westeinde van Den Haag 1648 - 1671

This landscape, "Buiten het Westeinde van Den Haag," was created by Jan de Bisschop, using pen in brown, and brown wash. De Bisschop lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of unprecedented economic prosperity for the Dutch Republic. This wealth supported the rise of a large middle class who wanted art that mirrored their own lives and values. Rather than religious or mythological scenes, landscapes became very popular. The image is peaceful, a scene outside of the bustle of The Hague. Yet consider the historical context - this serenity relies on the exploitation of resources and people in other parts of the world. The drawing shows a scene of leisure and commerce. The figures going about their daily lives, set against a backdrop of nature, present an idyllic view of Dutch society. In this way, it idealizes the Dutch experience while obscuring the sources of its prosperity. It is a small, intimate drawing, yet carries within it the complexities of the Dutch Golden Age.