Gezicht op de buitenplaats Paddenburg, bij Baambrugge 1730

Abraham Rademaker made this print of Paddenburg estate near Baambrugge using etching; a technique which democratized image production in the 17th and 18th century. What we see here isn't just a depiction of a residence but a representation of power and social hierarchy. Note the separation between the main house and the smaller building along the canal which might have been a guardhouse. Rademaker’s choice to include people in boats gives us a sense of scale, but also hints at the economic activities tied to the estate. During this period, the Dutch countryside was increasingly characterized by grand estates owned by wealthy merchants and regents, symbols of their economic and political dominance. The print invites us to consider the labor and resources that enabled such displays of wealth. While Rademaker's etching appears neutral, it implicitly comments on the socio-economic landscape of the Dutch Golden Age, prompting us to think about whose stories are often left out of these idyllic scenes.