Burg auf einem Felssporn an einem Gewässer 

Anthonie Waterloo made this sketch of a castle on a crag beside a body of water in the Netherlands sometime in the 17th century. Waterloo made hundreds of drawings, which were sold as individual sheets and collected into albums, like the one this drawing comes from. As a successful printmaker, Waterloo understood the market for picturesque views. He drew his landscapes in a way that translated easily into prints, and these prints were often collected by wealthy patrons. His drawings catered to a growing interest in topographical accuracy and the picturesque qualities of the Dutch landscape. Dutch artists played a crucial role in shaping national identity during this period. Artists like Waterloo represented the landscape not only as it was, but also as a symbol of Dutch pride and independence. Examining Waterloo’s drawings, alongside maps, prints, and other archival documents, shows us how art helped to create a sense of place and community in the Netherlands.