Gezicht op Amstelveen 1736 - 1773

This engraving, "View of Amstelveen," was made by Jan Caspar Philips, likely around the mid-18th century, and captures a moment in the rural Dutch landscape. It shows not just a place, but a particular way of life. The image creates meaning through its ordered composition and the emphasis on everyday activities. The rural setting highlights the importance of agriculture and connection to the land. Made in the Netherlands, a maritime nation with republican traditions, it also reflects the cultural values of the Dutch Golden Age, such as a focus on naturalism and middle-class life. You may be able to trace the artist through the records of the local Guild of Saint Luke. Art like this, now housed in institutions like the Rijksmuseum, serves as a visual record of social and economic change. The artwork is contingent on its social and institutional context.