Gezicht op een rivier met huis Welgelegen 1856

Jan Heppener created this artwork of the river with house Welgelegen using etching. Heppener’s landscapes offer an entry point into understanding 19th-century Dutch society, which was experiencing rapid urbanization and industrialization. The careful detail given to the natural environment and the architecture evoke a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time. The figures included, though small, tell stories of connection—with each other, the land, and leisure. There is a quiet sense of belonging, where nature isn’t just a backdrop, but a participant in daily life. What do we make of the contrast between this idyllic scene and the realities of the industrial revolution happening at the time? Do such representations offer a form of escapism, or perhaps a commentary on what was being lost? Landscapes like these invite us to reflect on our own relationship with the environment.