Dutch View 

Maxime Lalanne made this ink drawing, titled ‘Dutch View,’ in the 19th century. The image gives us a look into the Netherlands' culture of the time, connecting its maritime strength with the everyday lives of its citizens. Lalanne’s work is characterized by sharp detail. The drawing depicts a wide river, perhaps the mouth of a harbor. On the left, ordinary citizens stroll along the river bank, with windmills in the distance. Meanwhile, on the right, a large warship sits in the water. This combination of military strength and normal people is common in Dutch art, which can be seen as an effort to make a statement about the role of the military in the country’s sense of national identity. By looking at prints and other works on paper from the period, we can better understand the visual culture of the time. This helps us decode the social and political meanings embedded in this seemingly simple scene.