Gezicht op de stad Nevers 17th century

This delicate drawing of the city of Nevers was made by Jan van Call sometime between 1656 and 1703, using pen and brush in grey ink. Van Call lived through a period of significant social and political upheaval in Europe, including the height of the Dutch Golden Age and the expansion of European colonial powers. The scene captures the city from across the river, neatly contained within its walls, and evokes a sense of order and civilization. Yet, if we look closer, we might consider whose stories are left out of this vision. Who built those walls, who cleaned the streets, and who was excluded from the city's promise of prosperity? While seemingly straightforward, this landscape invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in how we represent places and people, and how these representations shape our understanding of history.