De Kleine Hagen (blad met deel boven- en onderkant van rand) 1675

Curator: Today, we are looking at "De Kleine Hagen," a 1675 engraving by Christiaan Hagen, here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It strikes me immediately as quite melancholic. The precise lines, rendered in shades of grey, offer a vision of order but also confinement. Do you feel that way too? Curator: An interesting interpretation! Technically speaking, the piece is a remarkable study in perspective. Note the detailed rendering of architectural forms. The layering of the town creates a beautiful effect in such a narrow space. Editor: Yes, but look closer. The coat of arms and Latin inscription frame what is essentially a rigid town plan. It speaks to power, surveillance, and control of urban space. It’s a carefully constructed reality that obscures individual experiences within the city. Curator: I would be hesitant to impose contemporary ideas onto a 17th-century work. Hagen was likely aiming to portray civic pride, a celebration of urban planning, showcasing the town’s infrastructure, defense and a successful economic hub. Editor: But whose success, and at what cost? These cityscapes often overlook the marginalized populations. Where are the working classes? How does social identity translate into a place like this? By omitting these narratives, it validates those already in power. Curator: I think the beauty lies in the formal aspects of the design. How each structure relates to the others and how those vertical church spires work with the horizontal lines of the town and sky is visually engaging. Editor: It’s definitely complex. The linear quality invites us to see a controlled landscape, but once one scratches at the surface, so many other questions about power and position begin to surface. It's never just about form, is it? Curator: Precisely! Ultimately, understanding what attracts the eye and then discovering why something pleases your aesthetic sensibilities allows a new appreciation to begin. Editor: Agreed. Engaging with art is rarely ever comfortable, especially once historical awareness and critical interrogation converge. Thanks for letting me complicate the picture.