Gezicht op het paleis van de prins-bisschoppen van Luik, bekend als het Kasteel van Seraing 1738 - 1744

This is an anonymous print depicting the Palace of the Prince-Bishops of Liège in Seraing. Its formal gardens are visible, along with the river, boats, and what appear to be many figures. We know the Prince-Bishops were sovereign rulers of Liège, an independent state within the Holy Roman Empire. This print embodies the complex interplay of power, religion, and identity during this period. We’re given an omniscient view of the palace, a symbol of their authority, set against the backdrop of an idealized landscape. Yet, who were these figures along the riverside? Are they anonymous representations of the laboring class whose work sustained the opulence of the palace? Consider the way landscapes often functioned to legitimize power and social hierarchies. The print invites us to contemplate the stories and experiences of those who were often unseen in the grand narratives of history. It’s a reminder that visibility is always a carefully constructed act.