Gezicht op de Sint-Pietersberg met de overblijfselen van kasteel Lichtenberg en klooster Slavante 1830 - 1899

Alexander Schaepkens created this print of the Sint-Pietersberg with the remains of Lichtenberg Castle and Slavante Monastery in the Netherlands, sometime in the 19th century. Notice how the ruins of the castle and monastery dominate the scene. This was a period of great social change and nationalism in Europe. Artists were looking to the past for inspiration and for symbols of national identity. By depicting these ruins, Schaepkens connects the present with a rich, and powerful, history. The choice of a printmaking technique is also significant. Prints were relatively inexpensive to produce, making them more accessible to a wider audience, and helping to spread nationalist sentiment. To better understand this work, you might research the history of Lichtenberg Castle and Slavante Monastery, as well as the political and social context of the Netherlands in the 19th century. Remember, artworks like this were not made in a vacuum, they’re products of social and institutional forces.