Kasteel op een heuvel 1942

Lodewijk Schelfhout created this print, "Kasteel op een heuvel", or "Castle on a Hill", using etching techniques. The image presents a vision of an idealized past, a romanticized notion of history which was prevalent in the arts of the early 20th century. Given that Schelfhout was working in a world reeling from the impact of the first World War, and on the precipice of the second, the castle becomes an emblem of longing for an era of assumed stability and order. Notice how the castle, perched high and seemingly impenetrable, might evoke a sense of aspiration, while figures crossing the bridge that leads to the imposing structure below feel like everyday people. This juxtaposition invites us to consider the intersections of power, aspiration, and the everyday experiences of people. Does the image invite you to consider the stories of those who are both included and excluded from such an idealized vision?