Gezicht op kasteel Exaten c. 1855

Alexander Schaepkens created this print, 'Gezicht op kasteel Exaten', using etching techniques. Schaepkens, born in Maastricht, lived in an era where the romantic allure of historical sites was growing. His choice to depict Exaten Castle speaks to the 19th-century interest in heritage and the picturesque. The image presents us with more than just a building. The castle, viewed through the artist's eyes, becomes a statement about power, history, and cultural identity. Etchings like these helped shape how people saw their world, idealizing certain aspects of it and subtly reinforcing social hierarchies. Schaepkens presents a serene, almost dreamlike vision. This could be seen as an escape from the social issues of his time.