Tekstblad voor serie prenten met gezichten buiten Utrecht 1858

This is the title page for a series of prints depicting scenes outside of Utrecht, etched by Jan van Lokhorst in 1858. In the 19th century, Dutch art often focused on landscapes and genre scenes, reflecting a growing sense of national identity and pride in the Dutch countryside. Lokhorst, working within this tradition, presents not just landscapes, but perhaps also an implicit commentary on urbanization and the changing face of Dutch society. The choice of etching, a detailed and intimate medium, suggests a desire to capture the subtle nuances of these locations. Consider how the "surroundings of Utrecht" might have represented an escape from the industrialized city for both the artist and the viewer. What did it mean to depict these scenes, and who had access to them, both literally and through art? This title page invites us to reflect on the relationship between place, identity, and the gaze of the artist.