Gezicht op het Burgerweeshuis te Den Haag. 1730 - 1736

This is an engraving of the Burgerweeshuis in The Hague, made by an anonymous artist. This image offers a window into 18th-century Dutch society, where institutions like orphanages played a crucial role in managing the lives of vulnerable populations. The orphanage is viewed from an elevated perspective, which frames the lives within as a spectacle for public consumption. The children in the courtyard are reduced to a pattern and their individual stories are erased. This image invites us to consider the intersections of class, gender, and age within the context of institutional care. Who were these children, and what circumstances led them to the orphanage? How did the institution shape their identities and futures? Notice the stark contrast between the lives of the children inside and the world outside the walls. The people outside are well dressed, they move freely, engaging in commerce and leisure. This artwork reflects how institutions like the Burgerweeshuis were not only places of refuge but also sites of social control, reinforcing existing power structures.