Gezicht op de stad Nevers 1666 - 1706

Jan van Call created this drawing of the city of Nevers using pen and grey ink with grey wash on paper in the late 17th century. Van Call, born in The Hague, was from a family of artists, and he specialized in topographical drawings. At this time, the Dutch Republic was in its Golden Age, marked by unprecedented economic, scientific, and cultural growth. The detailed rendering of Nevers presents a sense of order and prosperity, yet it also invites us to consider the experiences of those who lived in its shadows. The figures in the boats on the river, for instance, represent the working class. Their lives are in contrast with the architectural grandeur of the city. Consider, too, that Nevers is not a Dutch city, but one in France. What was Van Call trying to say?