Gezichten op de buitenplaats van Esaie Gillot 1725 - 1768

This print, titled *Gezichten op de buitenplaats van Esaie Gillot*, captures a view of Esaie Gillot’s estate, though the artist remains anonymous. The depiction of the Dutch elite in their environment provides a window into the social hierarchies and cultural values of the time. In this carefully composed scene, we see figures strolling in the garden, their attire indicating their status and wealth. These details aren't just about aesthetics; they reflect a society deeply stratified by class. The grand estate itself becomes a symbol of power, a physical manifestation of privilege. How might the identities of those not seen—the laborers, the servants—complicate this picture of leisure and affluence? What does it mean to consider their absence as a presence, a reminder of the labor upon which such displays of wealth were built? The artist invites us to consider the full story, beyond the facade.