Gezicht op het dorp Wernhout 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this print of the village of Wernhout. It’s a delicate rendering in ink on paper made during a time of significant social and political change. As we look at this quiet village scene, it’s tempting to see a simple, untroubled past. However, the 18th century was a time of shifting identities and emerging class consciousness. The rise of the middle class meant that more people could afford art, leading to a demand for landscapes like this one. But who is included in this picturesque view, and who is left out? The villagers seem suspended in time, but the reality of rural life was likely much harsher, particularly for women and the poor. This image prompts us to consider what stories are told and not told in idealized depictions of the past. It’s a reminder that every image, no matter how serene, is shaped by the complex social forces of its time.