Gezicht op de ruïne van het kasteel van Poilvache 1839 - 1841

Paulus Lauters made this print of the ruins of Poilvache castle in Belgium, though we don't know the exact date. The image presents us with the familiar romantic trope of picturesque ruins, a common subject in the 19th century. The artist invites the viewer to contemplate the passage of time and the transience of human achievement. The strategic location of Poilvache, high above the Meuse valley, speaks of a time when political power was inseparable from military might. But by the time Lauters made this print, the castle was little more than a tourist attraction. To understand the meaning of this work fully, we need to do some historical research. What was the political status of Belgium in relation to its neighbours during Lauters' lifetime? How did its artists see their public role? What did it mean to represent a ruined castle at a time when the nation was trying to forge a new identity? These are just some of the questions that art historians ask.