Gezicht op het Oude Loo, 1744 1745 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman created this etching of ‘Gezicht op het Oude Loo’ in 1744. It offers a glimpse into the Dutch Republic's aristocratic life during the mid-18th century. At this time, the Dutch Republic was dominated by wealthy merchant families and powerful individuals. The print shows the Oude Loo castle, a symbol of power and wealth. Such estates were not just homes; they were statements of social status and control over land and resources, reflecting a rigid class structure. Spilman, as an artist, was part of a system that relied on patronage from these elites. The details in the etching highlight the castle's architecture and idyllic natural surroundings, reinforcing an image of refined taste. This idyllic portrayal obscures the labor and exploitation upon which such wealth was built, telling a story of privilege, while omitting the narrative of those excluded from it. The artwork serves as both a record and a construct of its time, revealing as much by what it shows as by what it leaves out.