Ruïne van Burg Altena te Schüttorf, graafschap Bentheim 1786 - 1850

Gerrit Lamberts made this pencil drawing of the Ruin of Burg Altena at Schüttorf in the county of Bentheim. The image presents an interesting contrast between the ruin, a relic of a feudal past, and the figure in the boat, who may represent a modern individual going about their business. This could be a comment on the changing social structures of the Netherlands at this time. Lamberts was working during a period of great social and political upheaval in Europe. The old feudal order was collapsing, and new democratic and industrial forces were on the rise. Artists began to take a greater interest in everyday life. The Rijksmuseum, where this drawing is housed, was founded in 1800, reflecting a new desire to collect and display art for a wider public audience. To fully understand this drawing, we need to consider the history of the castle, the life of the artist, and the changing social conditions of the Netherlands in the early 19th century. Researching these contexts helps us understand how art is both a product and a reflection of its time.