Gezicht op de buitenplaats Oldenhof, bij Abcoude 1730

Abraham Rademaker created this print of the Oldenhof estate near Abcoude, likely in the early 18th century, using etching and engraving. At a time when the Dutch Republic was a major economic and cultural power, country estates like Oldenhof were potent symbols of wealth and status. This image presents a meticulously ordered landscape reflecting the values of the elite. Consider the figures populating this scene; from the gentry strolling leisurely through the manicured gardens to the laborers steering boats along the canal, each plays a part in the estate's smooth functioning. Yet, these groups occupy very different positions within the social hierarchy. It makes you consider, whose stories are being told, and whose are being left out? Rademaker's print is more than just a rendering of a place, it's a window into a world defined by privilege and power. It invites us to reflect on the complex relationships between land, labor, and identity in the Dutch Golden Age.