Gezicht op de kerk te Oost-Zaandam Possibly 1786 - 1825

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this print of Oost-Zaandam using etching and watercolour. Here, we see the church and other buildings reflected in the river, with several boats in the foreground. This image of a Dutch town is imbued with the cultural values of the late 18th century. It shows us the importance of the church, and the relevance of waterways to Dutch life and trade. The Dutch Golden Age of the previous century saw the growth of a powerful merchant class and a flourishing of art that reflected their values, particularly landscapes and genre scenes. Bendorp is drawing on this tradition in his print. We might explore the economic history of Zaandam to appreciate the social conditions that shape artistic production. Civic records, trade statistics, and local histories could shed light on the relationship between art and society in this period. This image is more than just a pretty view, it’s a window into a specific time and place.