Gezicht op de kasteleinswoning van Huis ten Bosch after 1717

This engraving, titled 'Gezicht op de kasteleinswoning van Huis ten Bosch’ or ‘View of the castellan's house of Huis ten Bosch’, presents a glimpse into the lives and landscapes of the Dutch elite. Created by an anonymous artist, the image offers a carefully constructed view of the grounds, where the architecture and nature are meticulously arranged to convey a sense of order and control. The figures that populate the scene, elegantly dressed and leisurely engaged, speak to the privileges of the ruling class of the time. However, the lack of the artist's name complicates the narrative. What does it mean when the creator is unknown? Perhaps it speaks to the role of the artist as a mere recorder of the powerful, rather than an individual with their own perspective. The image becomes a mirror reflecting the values and power structures of its time, inviting us to consider who is included and excluded from this carefully crafted world.