Gezicht op een gracht, te Enkhuizen 1870 - 1914

Willem Bastiaan Tholen made this print of a canal in Enkhuizen using etching and drypoint. With its close attention to the reflections in the water, this work is a characteristically Dutch scene, part of a national tradition that stretches back to the Golden Age. At the same time, Tholen made this image at a time when the Netherlands were rapidly modernizing. Picturesque scenes like this helped to cultivate a sense of national identity, and an appreciation for traditional ways of life. The Rijksmuseum, where this print is held, was founded in the late 19th century with the explicit goal of educating the public about Dutch history and culture. Prints like this one played an important role in that project, making images of Dutch life accessible to a wide audience. By researching the history of Dutch printmaking, and the founding of institutions like the Rijksmuseum, we can better understand the cultural work that this image performs.