Twee gezichten op buitenplaats IJsland 1725 - 1768

This print, titled "Twee gezichten op buitenplaats IJsland," offers two views of the IJsland estate. Created by an anonymous artist, the print provides a glimpse into the spatial and social hierarchies of the Dutch elite. The estate is depicted as a manicured landscape, an emblem of control over nature and, by extension, over society. The upper image shows a tree-lined avenue where figures are seen strolling and riding in carriages. It's a scene of leisure and privilege, reflective of the wealth concentrated in the hands of a few. The lower image captures the house and gardens, where a gathering of formally dressed individuals stands. This image shows the estate as a backdrop for social display, underlining the relationship between property and social status. The artist's choice to remain anonymous might be seen as a commentary on the power dynamics of the time, where the lives and labor of many were rendered invisible.