Gezicht op het kasteel en gezicht op de kerk te Ravenstein 1746 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman made this print of the castle and church in Ravenstein using etching. In the Dutch Golden Age, topographical prints like this one served a vital function. This image helped construct a sense of collective identity. By circulating views of cities, towns, and notable buildings, prints fostered awareness of a shared national landscape. The choice of subject matter, the castle and church, speaks to the dominant institutions of the time, the aristocracy and the church. This print reflects the values of the Dutch Republic, which saw itself as a bastion of order, prosperity and civility. Artists often depicted scenes of daily life and promoted values of hard work, piety, and community. To fully understand such an image, we must consider the institutions of artistic production and consumption. Through archival research and careful analysis, we can uncover the complex ways in which art both reflects and shapes the values of its time.