Gezicht op slot Åkeshov en herenhuis Adö 1695

Erik Reitz created this print of Åkeshov Castle and Adö Manor using etching, sometime before the artist’s death. In it, we see an idealized vision of Swedish aristocratic life. Note the symmetry and order in the landscapes, and the way the buildings are set apart from the natural world. These are visual codes of power and control. The landscapes and buildings speak to the immense wealth and privilege enjoyed by a tiny minority in 18th-century Sweden. Looking closely, you might consider how these estates functioned within the social and economic structures of their time. Who were the people who lived and worked here, and what was their relationship to the landowners? What role did these estates play in the larger economy of Sweden? To learn more, you might consult historical records such as estate inventories, tax records, and personal letters. These resources can offer insights into the social and economic realities behind the idyllic imagery.