Gezicht te Diemen 1789

Jan Bulthuis made this drawing of Diemen in the Netherlands at the end of the 18th century. It offers a window into Dutch society during a period of significant social and political upheaval. We see the village of Diemen, captured with a keen eye for detail: the church spire, the canal, and the figures going about their daily lives. But this isn't just a neutral depiction. Consider the institutional history of landscape art in the Netherlands. Often, these serene scenes served to reinforce a sense of national identity and pride, subtly promoting the values of order and prosperity. Bulthuis made this drawing at a time when the Dutch Republic was wavering, on the cusp of revolution. By examining period documents, we can explore how artists responded to the changing social and political conditions, either reinforcing or subtly subverting the dominant ideologies of the time. Art like this is contingent on its context.