Gezicht op Dokkum 1679

This is Gaspar Bouttats's "View of Dokkum," an engraving now held in the Rijksmuseum. Bouttats, who lived in a period marked by significant political and social upheaval in the Netherlands, captures Dokkum during a time of relative calm. The detailed depiction of the city, framed by its waterways and fortifications, invites us to reflect on the intersections of trade, defense, and daily life. We see windmills - a symbol of Dutch ingenuity - churches, and merchant ships coming into port. This was a period where the Dutch identity was undergoing a shift from rebellion to established mercantile power. What this engraving develops, beyond a traditional landscape, is a narrative about identity. The work prompts questions about who was included in the prosperity of Dutch society, and who was excluded. The controlled perspective and the emphasis on the city’s structure perhaps subtly reflect the prevailing order and values of the time. This image resonates today by offering us a glimpse into the making of a nation.