Panoramisch gezicht op Den Haag Possibly 1663 - 1728

Cornelis Elandts created this panoramic view of The Hague, using etching, sometime between 1641 and 1687. It offers a glimpse into the 17th-century Dutch landscape. The print reveals a society deeply rooted in its connection to the land. The meticulously divided fields speak of ownership, labor, and the agricultural economy that shaped the nation's identity. The animals peacefully grazing underscore a vision of pastoral harmony. But, this idealized image obscures the labor and social hierarchies inherent in land ownership and agricultural production. Elandts presents us with a vision of order and prosperity, yet we might ask ourselves, whose perspective is privileged here? What stories remain untold in this carefully composed scene of The Hague? The emotional resonance of this artwork lies in its capacity to evoke both a sense of belonging and a critical awareness of the social structures that define it.