Natuur hoe god'lijk schoon, / Spreidt gij uw glans ten toon / Voor aller menschen oogen; / Uw evenredigheid, / Uw pracht en majesteit. / Zij houdt ons opgetogen 1850 - 1870

This undated print by P.C.L. van Staden & Co., now at the Rijksmuseum, celebrates the beauty and divine order of nature through a series of idyllic scenes accompanied by poetic verses. Created in a time of significant social and political change, the artwork reflects the era’s complex relationship with nature, faith, and society. The images depict serene landscapes, windmills, and tranquil villages, evoking a sense of harmony. Yet, this idealized view masks the social realities of the time, where industrialization and urbanization were beginning to transform the Dutch landscape and society. The verses accompanying the images further emphasize the connection between nature and the divine, suggesting a moral and spiritual dimension to the natural world. The figures, formally dressed, suggest an elevated class, for whom this ideal of nature was more readily available. In its totality, this work creates a sense of longing for a simpler, more spiritually connected way of life, which can be seen as both a reflection of and an escape from the period's socio-political tensions.