Gezicht op Nijmegen vanuit het zuiden 1738

"Gezicht op Nijmegen vanuit het zuiden" is an etching by Jan Ruyter. In this detailed city view, Ruyter presents Nijmegen as a center of commerce and community. The image, however, also reflects the power dynamics inherent in 18th-century Dutch society. Though the scene appears serene, the fortifications remind us of the ever-present threat of invasion and war which shaped the lives of ordinary people. The figures in the foreground also offer a glimpse into the labor and social hierarchies of the time, highlighting the dependence on agricultural labor and the lives of the working class. Consider how the artist's choice to depict the city from a distance influences our perception. While the elite merchants and rulers are implied, the image is grounded by the presence of laborers and animals. What does it mean to center a landscape with the lives of working people? This work reflects a moment in time, inviting us to consider the complex layers of Dutch society and the lives of those often unseen.