Gezichten op Huis Ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk 1681 - 1682

Cornelis Elandts created this print of Huis Ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk in the 17th century. This was a time when the Dutch Republic was a major power, its wealth built on global trade. Images such as these showcased the opulence and power of the elite. Note how the house is framed in a decorative border, like a jewel. The figures in the foreground, with their horses, give scale to the house but also highlight the divide between the wealthy and the working class of the time. They are literally in the foreground to the wealth and privilege that Huis Ter Nieuburch represents. These images served to reinforce the existing social hierarchy, presenting it as natural and desirable. As you look at this print, think about how such images shaped perceptions of identity and status in Dutch society, and perhaps how images continue to do that today.