Gezicht op de Hofvijver te Den Haag 1764

Paulus Constantijn la Fargue created this print depicting a view of the Hofvijver in The Hague in the mid-18th century. It offers a window into the social stratification of the Dutch Golden Age. Note the composition: the wealthy are positioned prominently, engaged in leisure activities like horseback riding and strolling with their dogs. Meanwhile, a lone figure cleans, her labor literally supporting the idyllic scene. This juxtaposition isn't accidental; it reflects the economic disparities inherent in Dutch society at the time. The work subtly reinforces existing power structures. It invites viewers to admire the elegance of the elite, while the labor of the working class fades into the background. "I aim to capture the true spirit of our city," La Fargue once said. But whose spirit is truly represented here? Consider how the print operates as a form of social documentation, both celebrating and silently questioning the distribution of wealth and privilege in 18th-century Hague.