Gezicht op het voormalig landgoed Bosbeek-Groenendaal 1837 - 1844

Petrus Josephus Lutgers created this landscape print, “View of the Former Estate Bosbeek-Groenendaal.” Lutgers lived during a time of significant social and economic change in the Netherlands, following the Napoleonic era. Looking at this pastoral scene today, we might consider the romanticized depiction of rural life that was popular in the 19th century. Yet, there are many ways we can understand Lutgers’ work. The seemingly tranquil image can also be understood in terms of land ownership and social class. Estates like Bosbeek-Groenendaal were symbols of wealth and power, reflecting a stark contrast between the landowners and the laboring class who worked the land. By focusing on the beauty of the landscape, Lutgers’ work offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between humans and the environment. It prompts us to reflect on our own connection to the land.