Gezicht op de Prinsessegracht te Den Haag 1764

Paulus Constantijn la Fargue created this print, "View of the Prinsessegracht in The Hague," in the 18th century, capturing a scene of daily life. La Fargue, who lived during the Dutch Golden Age, was known for his detailed cityscapes and genre scenes. This print offers a glimpse into the social hierarchy of the time. Notice the well-dressed figures strolling along the canal, juxtaposed with the workers and tradespeople engaged in more manual labor. How does La Fargue subtly delineate class through posture, dress, and activity? The architecture itself speaks to power and status, with grand townhouses lining one side of the canal, reflecting the wealth and influence of their inhabitants. Consider the absence of certain figures too; whose stories are not being told? What does this tell us about the dominant narratives of the time? Through La Fargue’s detailed depiction, we are invited to reflect on the complex social fabric of 18th-century Hague, and perhaps, to question whose stories we choose to remember.