Gezicht op Arnhem vanaf de Rehberg 1858

This lithograph of Arnhem was made by Johannes Hilverdink in the Netherlands. A peaceful scene, it reflects the aesthetic preferences of the Dutch Biedermeier, an era defined by tranquility, domesticity, and a retreat from the political sphere. But this image is as much about the city of Arnhem as it is about the art institutions of Hilverdink's time. It was produced as part of a series of prints depicting Dutch cities, which were in turn collected into albums and sold to the public. These albums played an important role in shaping a shared sense of national identity. As the Netherlands moved towards a constitutional monarchy, a market emerged for art that would represent the nation. The image then is both a landscape and a political statement, which reminds us of the importance of understanding the social conditions that shaped artistic production. Art historical resources like archives, newspapers, and exhibition catalogues, enable us to understand the public role of art in the 19th century Netherlands.