Gezicht op Naarden 1679

Gaspar Bouttats created this print of Naarden in the Netherlands sometime between 1660 and 1695. At the time, the Dutch Republic was a global center of cartography. Prints like this one were popular souvenirs for both locals and visitors, offering a sense of civic pride and national identity. Bouttats' print presents Naarden from a distant vantage point, emphasizing its imposing fortifications and the waterways that were crucial for trade and defense. Note how the artist contrasts the tranquility of the foreground with the bustling activity within the city walls, and the small human figures who give scale to the imposing architecture. As an art historian, I’d consider the political and military history of the Netherlands in this period, consulting maps, military records, and urban plans to understand how Naarden fit into the country's strategic landscape. Ultimately, this print reflects the Dutch Republic's self-image as a prosperous, well-defended, and commercially powerful nation.