Landscape 1697 - 1749

Jan van Huysum painted this landscape, sometime in the 18th century, with oil on canvas. The Dutch Golden Age was notable for its landscape paintings. These idyllic scenes often functioned as symbols of national pride, reflecting the wealth and expansive reach of the Dutch empire. But we might also think about what’s absent here. Van Huysum’s serene vision of nature, like many landscape paintings of the era, idealizes nature, often erasing the marks of colonialism, such as exploited labor and environmental degradation. Take a moment to consider your own relationship to the natural world. How do you perceive the concept of "landscape" in today's world, and how has your understanding been influenced by history, culture, and your personal experiences? Perhaps these landscapes can serve as a reminder to consider the stories that are told, as well as the stories left untold.