Riviergezicht met kasteel op oever 1758 - 1814

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this river view with a castle on the shore in the 18th century. Bendorp was working during a period of significant social and political change. This etching captures a serene landscape, but it's also a reflection of the structures of power and privilege that shaped the Dutch Republic. The castle, a symbol of authority, looms over the scene, while boats sail on the water, hinting at trade and commerce, both crucial to the Dutch Golden Age. While seemingly a simple landscape, consider the lives and labor that enabled the construction and maintenance of the castle, and the journeys across the water. In its quiet way, the image speaks to the intersections of class, commerce, and the ever-present power dynamics embedded in the land itself.