Gezicht op slot Zeist 1742 - 1784

Hendrik Spilman created this print titled "Gezicht op slot Zeist" sometime in the 18th century. Spilman, who lived from 1721 to 1784, was working in a Dutch society shaped by the legacy of its Golden Age, but also experiencing internal socio-political tensions. This meticulously rendered image of Zeist Castle isn't just a neutral depiction; it's an assertion of power and status. Note the figures in the foreground, dwarfed by the scale of the building. They emphasize the wealth and authority associated with the castle, reflecting a society deeply structured by class divisions. The castle stands as a physical embodiment of the elite, a reminder of their dominance. Spilman's print invites us to consider whose stories are being told and whose are being omitted. What about the lives of those who maintained the estate? What were their experiences within these grounds? While Spilman’s work is a beautiful example of 18th century Dutch printmaking, it also serves as a potent symbol of the era’s social hierarchies.