Huis Bergh te 's-Heerenberg 1731

"Huis Bergh te 's-Heerenberg" is a drawing by Abraham de Haen, made in the 18th century. De Haen was a prolific artist known for topographical works. This delicate drawing depicts the Huis Bergh castle, a site imbued with centuries of aristocratic power. In the 1700s, the Dutch Republic was at the height of its global influence, yet stark social hierarchies persisted. Drawings like this one often served to reinforce these hierarchies, celebrating the wealth and status of the land-owning elite. However, looking at this artwork through a contemporary lens, we might consider the labor and resources that made such grand structures possible. Who were the builders, servants, and farmers whose lives were intertwined with the castle's existence? These individuals, often marginalized in historical narratives, were essential to maintaining this lifestyle. This drawing serves as a reminder of the stories that are both seen and unseen, told and untold.