Gezicht op Lekkerkerk 1745 - 1795

Jacobus Versteegen created this print of Lekkerkerk using etching, a process that dates back to the Middle Ages. In the 18th century, the Dutch Republic was experiencing a period of economic decline, but also a flourishing of arts and sciences. Prints like this one were popular among the middle class, offering idealized views of the countryside. Here, Versteegen shows us a calm river landscape, but it’s more than just a pretty picture. There's a church spire rising gently in the background, with everyday people quietly going about their lives. What does it mean to capture a scene like this? What does it mean to choose this one, when there were so many others? It suggests a certain set of values. And, perhaps, a sense of nostalgia for a simpler way of life. In this quiet scene, Versteegen invites us to reflect on the changing world around us, while drawing our attention to the beauty and simplicity of the Dutch countryside.