Gezicht op een kasteeltje 1624

Jan van Goyen rendered this tiny landscape, “View of a small castle,” using pen in brown ink. Van Goyen lived and worked during the Dutch Golden Age, a period when the Netherlands experienced unprecedented economic, scientific, and artistic growth. Though celebrated for its advancements, this era was also deeply shaped by class structures and the legacy of colonialism. Van Goyen’s landscapes often depict the Dutch countryside, reflecting a growing sense of national identity. However, these idyllic scenes often mask the social inequalities of the time. Note how the figures in the landscape – a horseman and travelers – seem dwarfed by the scene, perhaps mirroring the relationship between humanity and the environment, or pointing to their limited agency within the vast social and economic systems of the time. Van Goyen's landscapes invite us to contemplate our own place within the larger narratives of history, identity, and power. How do we, like these figures, navigate the landscapes of our own lives, shaped by forces both visible and unseen?