Twee stadgezichten te Goes met de Korenmolen en de Grote Markt 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this print, titled "Two City Views of Goes," depicting the Korenmolen and the Grote Markt, using etching techniques. In Bendorp’s time, the Netherlands was a society deeply structured by class, where urban views like this one played a role in constructing civic identity and pride, but often obscured the realities of daily life for many. Take, for example, the detailed rendering of the architecture versus the generalized figures populating the scenes, hinting at the social hierarchy of the time. The figures are reduced to their function, a woman carries something on her head while others appear to be socializing. The buildings take center stage, suggesting what was truly valued. These scenes invite a dialogue about who is represented in art and whose stories are told. Although seemingly a neutral depiction of the city, the scenes reveal how urban spaces were idealized and commodified. Consider how Bendorp’s work, while beautiful, prompts us to reflect on the complex interplay between visibility, representation, and social power.