Backyard Othering. Framing the southern Low Countries in Dutch travel writing (1585-1750) (original) (raw)
In the late seventeenth century, short trips – labelled as speelreisje, somertogje or even vacance by contemporaries – to the Southern Netherlands were the latest vogue among Dutch upper-crust burghers. Literally hundreds over travel journals bear witness of the snowballing attraction of this type of travelling, which proved more popular than the classic Grand Tour to Rome, but also eclipsed London, Paris, Berlin and other fashionable destinations. Obviously, the Southern Netherlands had some attractions, as the baroque masterpieces of Rubens and Van Dijck drew a throng of passionate connoisseurs and art buffs. Martial lieux de mémoire – Malplaquet, Ramillies, Namur and other places, which had been famous hotspots in the endless wars of Louis XIV – were also frequently visited. Lace shopping was a popular activity too. Yet, even with these boons in mind, it remains a mystery why throngs of Dutch travellers were drawn to the south every year. What did the southern provinces have that their own fatherland lacked? In this lecture, I want to argue that the attraction of the Southern Netherlands was boosted by an (un)conscious process of Othering. Dutch travellers framed the southern provinces as a popish bulwark, a backward economy, and a rugged wilderness. These stereotypes not only fuelled the attraction of the south – envisioned as an exotic and exciting destination within easy reach – but they also strengthened the Dutch self-image of modernity and superiority. Therefore, these plaisierreijsjes and somertogjes became an essential element in the spread of nationalism.
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