Gezicht op de markt van Bolsward 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this print titled 'Gezicht op de markt van Bolsward'. Though the date of its creation is unknown, Bendorp lived from 1736 to 1814, and the piece likely reflects the social dynamics of the Netherlands during that era. What strikes me is how Bendorp captures a sense of everyday life, yet there is an undeniable hierarchy present. Observe the figures populating the market scene, and ask yourself, whose stories are deemed worthy of representation? The merchants, the churchgoers, children playing, all seem to be figures of privilege. What about the working class? The farmers? The servants? Their absence speaks volumes about the selective nature of historical narratives and the power structures inherent in representation. As you continue to consider this piece, let’s reflect on how art can be both a mirror reflecting societal values and a tool that has the potential to provoke us to challenge these values.