Gezicht op de buitenplaats Gijnwijk, bij Baambrugge 1730

Abraham Rademaker made this print of Gijnwijk, near Baambrugge, sometime between 1700 and 1735, using etching and engraving techniques. The print depicts an idyllic country estate. We see figures engaged in leisurely activities, all framed by meticulously rendered architecture and verdant foliage. This image speaks to the social stratification of the Dutch Golden Age. Country estates like Gijnwijk were symbols of wealth and status, owned by the elite class of merchants and regents who controlled the country's economic and political power. The print is not just a depiction of a place, but also a statement about property, power, and social identity in the Netherlands during this period. Research into estate records and family histories could reveal more about the owners of Gijnwijk and their place in Dutch society. This print is therefore a valuable resource for understanding the social landscape of the Dutch Golden Age.