Huizen langs een duinpad buiten Haarlem c. 1634 - 1635

Gerard ter Borch the Younger made this sketch, "Houses Along a Dune Path Outside Haarlem," sometime in the 17th century, likely with graphite or charcoal on paper. During the Dutch Golden Age, artists like Ter Borch helped to define Dutch identity through their intimate portrayals of everyday life and landscapes. This drawing, with its simple composition of modest dwellings, aligns with the era's values of humility and hard work. Yet, we can also consider the socio-economic backdrop. Who lived in these houses? Were they landowners or laborers? Ter Borch, who came from an affluent family, probably viewed this scene from a position of privilege. The choice to depict this particular view, with its emphasis on the ordinary, might reflect a conscious aesthetic choice of the time, which can lead us to think about Ter Borch’s intentions and the lives of those he depicted. This unassuming sketch opens a window onto the complex interplay between artistic vision, social class, and the construction of identity in the Dutch Golden Age.