Gezicht op het kasteel van Strömsholm 1695

Willem Swidde made this print, *Gezicht op het kasteel van Strömsholm,* in the late 17th century. The Dutch, with their powerful mercantile empire, were at the vanguard of early capitalism and global trade at this time. This is a rendering of a Swedish castle. We see it through the lens of Dutch artistry. What might seem like a straightforward depiction of architecture and landscape becomes an interesting site to examine identity and power. How did the Dutch perceive foreign aristocracy? Swidde gives us a detailed, almost clinical, view of the castle, seemingly devoid of romanticism. Yet, by choosing this subject, he also acknowledges its significance. The print invites us to consider how cultural exchange shapes perceptions and representations. It encourages us to reflect on the emotional distance and fascination that can exist between different societies. In doing so, it allows us to explore our own place within a network of global interactions.