Gezicht op 's-Hertogenbosch 1506 - 1581

This anonymous print shows 's-Hertogenbosch, likely made in the Netherlands during the 17th century. The city is viewed from a low vantage point with the river and cultivated fields in the foreground and angelic figures and heraldic symbols framing the top, offering us clues to the social and institutional context in which it was made. Images of cities served a practical function, especially for trade and military planning. But they also conveyed civic pride and promoted specific political ideologies. The inclusion of heraldic symbols, for example, suggests an intent to emphasize the city’s noble status and history. The presence of angels adds a layer of divine approval, typical in the art of the time. Historians use a range of resources to better understand art like this, from city archives to treatises on heraldry. Each clue helps us understand art’s place in its own time.