Landschap met windmolens en reizigers 1620 - 1698

Nicolas Cochin created this print titled 'Landschap met windmolens en reizigers' - or Landscape with Windmills and Travelers - sometime in the 17th Century. This landscape offers us a glimpse into the world of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of immense economic and cultural prosperity for the Netherlands. At the time, windmills weren't just picturesque features; they were vital for the Dutch economy, used to drain land and grind grain. In this historical and cultural context, the travelers hint at societal divisions. The travelers in the carriage and on foot could represent different social classes experiencing the same landscape in vastly different ways. The serene depiction invites us to reflect on the intersections of labor, class, and progress during the Golden Age. Its idyllic depiction encourages us to consider whose stories are often left out of conventional history.