Kasteel Radboud te Medemblik 1727 - 1733

Abraham Rademaker created this print of Kasteel Radboud te Medemblik in the early 18th century, capturing the castle’s imposing presence during a period of Dutch history marked by both maritime power and complex social hierarchies. Here, the castle is not merely a structure of stone and mortar but a symbol of power, and of the gendered and classed dimensions of Dutch society. Built in 1289, it served to protect the Netherlands from invasion from the West Frisians. By the time Rademaker made this print, the castle was being used as an arsenal. We might consider how the imagery of fortification and defense speaks to notions of masculinity and dominance. The detailed rendering of the castle contrasts with the more diminutive figures in the foreground, perhaps emphasizing a social hierarchy inherent in the landscape. Rademaker’s choice to depict the castle amidst windmills and ships also hints at the economic engines driving the Dutch Golden Age. Rademaker's print encourages us to reflect on how power structures are embedded in our environments and continue to shape our collective identity.