Gezicht op het park van het Kasteel van Leeuwergem 1790

Jacques André Joseph Trachez created this print, "Gezicht op het park van het Kasteel van Leeuwergem," offering us a glimpse into the landscaped grounds of a Belgian castle. The image is a product of its time. Trachez, who lived through the late 18th and early 19th centuries, navigated a society deeply divided by class. This print, depicting an aristocratic estate, speaks volumes about power dynamics and the visual language used to reinforce social hierarchies. Landscapes like this weren't just pretty scenes, they were statements of ownership and control. Consider the emotional experience of viewing this manicured landscape: a sense of order, serenity, but also distance. How did someone outside the aristocracy feel when viewing such a place? Were they meant to feel awe, envy, or perhaps resignation about their own place in society? It's a world away from the messy realities of labor and poverty. This image invites us to reflect on the historical construction of beauty and how it intersects with social class.