View of Boxmeer, Noord-Brabant Possibly 1675

Barend Klotz made this ink drawing of Boxmeer, Noord-Brabant, on the 3rd of November 1675. The village church dominates the composition, a symbol of spiritual and temporal power, around which the village seems to cluster for protection. The sketch emphasizes the relationship between the rural landscape and the societal hierarchy of the time. The presence of a horse-drawn carriage suggests wealth and status, contrasting with the humble dwellings of the villagers. It invites us to think about the social stratification inherent in 17th-century Dutch life. We might ask ourselves, who benefited from the church's dominance, and whose lives were lived in its shadow? The artwork captures a moment in time. But it also prompts reflection on enduring themes of power, faith, and the everyday lives of ordinary people.