Gezicht op buitenplaats Wisseloord met Rustlust te Muiderberg 1812

This anonymous print depicts a view of the Wisseloord estate with Rustlust in Muiderberg. The artwork captures a moment in time, offering a glimpse into the spatial and social relations of the Dutch Golden Age elite. The estate, with its symmetrical architecture and manicured trees, stands as a testament to the owner’s wealth and power. The print presents a world meticulously structured by class, gender, and race. The figures populating the courtyard each have distinct roles, reflecting a society in which identity and status were paramount. We might ask ourselves, what does it mean to call a place “Rustlust?” Although idyllic, this scene also serves as a reminder of the historical context in which it was created. The wealth that enabled the construction of such estates was often derived from colonial exploitation and trade, intertwining pleasure with oppression. The emotional tenor of this image shifts as we consider the labor and systems of inequality that underlie its serene facade.