Abdij van Dieleghem, bij Brussel 1651 - 1667

Curator: This meticulous engraving presents the Abdij van Dieleghem, near Brussels, dating from between 1651 and 1667. Lucas Vorsterman the Younger is the artist behind it. Editor: Oh, it's almost dreamlike. A serene fortress viewed from above, meticulously rendered, but so orderly. Did they really live like that, in such a planned environment? Curator: Well, prints like this, especially in the Dutch Golden Age, weren't just about objective record-keeping. Vorsterman's engraving technique allowed for incredible detail, showcasing not just the architecture, but also the surrounding cultivated landscape. Consider the materiality here: engraving facilitated wider distribution than painting; prints were cheaper and transportable. Editor: Absolutely! You know, looking at all these regimented trees—perfect rows, little balls of green—I can't help but think about the labor involved. Who cared for all of this? And what was the social dynamic inside the abbey walls to produce this need for such architectural representation? The scale is so vast; there must have been all manner of resources flowing through the monastery and lands to have made this possible. It seems both utopian and dystopian when viewed in that light. Curator: That's a key aspect, really. These cityscapes weren't just celebratory images of institutions, but testaments to Dutch power, finance, and social organisation at the time. Consider how the church's authority also exerted the creation of these urban planning efforts in that moment of time. Editor: Right, a demonstration of man's control over nature. I can appreciate the order here in how we approach this engraving as a document of material creation and of social record-keeping... the contrast to our modern world is staggering. Curator: Indeed. Vorsterman gives us more than just an image; it’s a glimpse into the physical, material, and cultural landscape of the Dutch Golden Age. Editor: A sobering and fascinating reflection—this image seems less of a historical landscape and more of an insight into what could, sadly, repeat again today given its need for power.