Gezicht op het Mauritshuis te Den Haag 1730 - 1736

This is an engraving of the Mauritshuis in The Hague, created by an anonymous artist. The Mauritshuis, built in the 17th century, was originally the residence of Prince Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen, whose wealth came from colonial activities in Brazil. The building stands as a physical manifestation of the Dutch Golden Age, an era marked by economic prosperity and extensive global trade, including the exploitation of enslaved people and the extraction of resources from colonized lands. This engraving, then, is not just a portrait of a building but also a depiction of power and privilege derived from a complex network of global exchange and colonial dominance. Notice the figures strolling across the bridge. They represent the elite class who benefited from this system. The artist, while anonymous, was undoubtedly part of this social structure, and their work reflects the values and perspectives of their time. Consider how this image invites us to reflect on the legacy of colonialism and its impact on the present. It's a reminder that even seemingly benign depictions of architecture can carry profound historical weight.