View of the Surroundings of Bruges (Vue des environs de Bruges) 1700 - 1780

Jacques Philippe Le Bas created this print, “View of the Surroundings of Bruges,” sometime in the 18th century. At first glance, the arrangement appears classically picturesque: the meandering road, clusters of figures, and looming trees all create an inviting scene. Yet, Le Bas doesn’t just present an idyllic view. Look closer and you will notice the careful structuring of light and shadow, which offers a network of gazes. The people depicted within the print are also looking, their eyes drawn towards a distant Bruges. The formal construction, therefore, encourages a structural analysis. Bruges is not simply a backdrop but a focal point that organizes perception within the scene. The lines of perspective converge on it, framing the activities in the foreground and highlighting the relationship between the city and its surrounding environment. It is the artist’s formal structuring that destabilizes the traditional reading of landscape art. Rather than seeing a mere depiction of nature, we are prompted to consider the complex interplay between people, place, and power.