Gezicht op Gunterstein in Breukelen 1679 - 1702

Joseph Mulder created this print of Gezicht op Gunterstein in Breukelen in the 17th or 18th century. This image gives us insight into the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by economic prosperity and extensive global trade. It was a time of sharp class divisions, where wealth was accumulated through mercantile ventures, often at the expense of colonized populations. The print depicts an idyllic scene of the Gunterstein estate, but it also subtly reflects the power dynamics of the era. Note the figures on horseback and in carriages, symbols of wealth and status, set against the backdrop of the meticulously maintained estate. These elements remind us of the lives of the wealthy landowners who profited from this era's economic system. How did the lives of those who maintained these estates differ from the lives of the landowners? This work invites us to consider whose stories are told and whose are often left out, encouraging a deeper understanding of the complex social fabric of the time. It prompts us to reflect on how landscapes can be both beautiful and imbued with histories of inequality.