Gezicht op Huis te Blotinghe te Rijswijk 1663 - 1670

Cornelis Elandts created this print, “Gezicht op Huis te Blotinghe te Rijswijk”, sometime in the 17th century using etching. As a Dutch Golden Age artist, Elandts was working in a period defined by the rise of a wealthy merchant class and a growing interest in secular subjects. Prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping cultural identity, reflecting both pride in the Dutch landscape and the power of its elite. The estate is meticulously rendered. But consider the two figures in the foreground. Are they owners of the estate, or are they servants? The image subtly reinforces class divisions. The estate is not simply a place, but also a symbol of power, wealth, and social status. This print encapsulates the complex relationship between identity, place, and power in the Dutch Golden Age. What stories do you imagine unfolding within the walls of this grand estate?