Gezicht op Velsen after 1728

Abraham Rademaker made this print of Velsen with etching. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch Republic was a major economic and cultural power, and there was a growing interest in depicting landscapes and cityscapes. Here, the church dominates the scene, a testament to its central role in community life. Yet, if you look closely, the figures walking along the road offer us a glimpse into the social hierarchy of the time. The gentry on horseback contrasts with the pedestrians, suggesting a society structured by class. Rademaker’s choice to include these figures, rather than just focusing on the architecture, speaks to the interconnectedness of the built environment and the people who inhabited it. It's a reminder that landscapes are never just neutral spaces, but are always shaped by the social relations and power dynamics of their time. A reminder of how identity and place are intertwined.