Gezicht op het dorp Hoornaar 1784

Hendrik Tavenier made this watercolor called ‘Gezicht op het dorp Hoornaar’. It is a view of the village of Hoornaar. As we gaze upon this scene, it's important to consider the historical context in which Tavenier was working. Born in the mid-18th century, he lived during a period of significant social and political change. This was the time of the Enlightenment, a time when traditional hierarchies were being questioned and new ideas about equality and individual rights were emerging. However, despite these changes, Dutch society remained deeply stratified along lines of class and gender. Tavenier, as a member of the educated elite, would have been acutely aware of these divisions. In this landscape, we can read a subtle commentary on the relationship between the privileged and the working class. The depiction of everyday life invites us to reflect on our own relationship to place and community.