Gezicht op Tienhoven 1637 - 1677

Roelant Roghman made this print of ‘Gezicht op Tienhoven’ in the Netherlands in the mid-17th century. It presents a seemingly objective view of a Dutch village, but it's important to consider the socio-political context in which Roghman was working. During the Dutch Golden Age, there was a growing sense of national identity and civic pride. Artists like Roghman played a role in constructing this identity by creating idealized images of the Dutch landscape and its communities. This print presents a harmonious vision of rural life. Yet it glosses over the social inequalities that were present in Dutch society at the time. To understand this artwork fully, we might consult historical records, such as census data, tax records, and estate inventories. These resources can offer insights into the actual social and economic conditions of the people who lived in places like Tienhoven during the 17th century. By considering the historical context, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between art and society.