Gezicht van het Kalfje 1783 - 1843

Engelbert Michaël Engelberts made this drawing, "Gezicht van het Kalfje," with pen in gray ink and brush in gray wash. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, artists like Engelberts often depicted serene landscapes reflecting a sense of national identity and pride during times of political upheaval. His choice to capture the Kalfje, a well-known Dutch location, speaks to a desire to represent and celebrate the local environment. However, it is important to consider who had the privilege to experience and depict these landscapes. While the artwork presents a tranquil scene, it is likely that the labor and lives of the working class and marginalized communities are absent from this representation. What does it mean to create scenes of leisure and beauty, particularly in a historical context marked by social inequalities? This drawing invites us to consider the relationship between landscape, identity, and social power. It encourages us to reflect on the stories that are told, and whose stories remain untold.