Landschap 1694 - 1766

This landscape was sketched by Matthijs Balen in the 18th century. It is a work on paper, using pen and ink. Balen was born in 1684, the Dutch Golden Age, when the Netherlands was a world power with burgeoning trade and a vibrant artistic climate. Yet by the time this drawing was made, the Dutch Republic was in decline, challenged by England and France. The light touch of the pen evokes a quietness that contrasts starkly with the country's colonial ambitions and the enormous social inequalities that enabled the Dutch trading empire. The land is shown as serene, yet this belies the exploitation of both people and resources that was the foundation of Dutch prosperity. Balen’s drawing invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between a nation's identity, its economic practices, and the land it occupies.