Gezicht in een parkje 1789 - 1859

Pieter de Goeje made this pencil drawing, ‘Gezicht in een parkje’, at an unknown date. De Goeje was working in a Netherlands still grappling with its identity after French occupation. The delicate sketch invites us into a serene park landscape, yet it speaks volumes about the societal values of its time. Public parks like this were increasingly designed and enjoyed by the bourgeoisie. They reflect a growing desire for curated, controlled nature that mirrored the social order. We might consider how class distinctions influenced access to such spaces, determining who had the privilege to experience leisure and nature. Though seemingly apolitical, de Goeje’s sketch quietly acknowledges the emergence of a new social class and a changing relationship with the natural world. It’s a moment of calm observation, steeped in the quiet politics of place and belonging.