Gezicht op Strépy Possibly 1675 - 1678

This drawing of the village of Strépy was made in pen and brown ink by Constantijn Huygens II in 1687. The scene depicts the village church, nestled amongst trees and houses, rendered with fine, delicate lines. Huygens was part of a family steeped in the political and cultural life of the Dutch Golden Age. His father was a diplomat and advisor to the House of Orange, and Constantijn II followed in his footsteps, serving as a secretary to William III. This social position granted Huygens access to the upper echelons of Dutch society and its art world, which was being shaped by the country's new political and economic power. The cultural institutions of the Dutch Republic, such as the guilds and the art market, played a crucial role in defining artistic tastes and practices. To truly understand art such as this, the historian turns to archival sources, letters, and other historical documents, so we can better appreciate the complex interplay between art, society, and institutions.