Gezichten op de Zijlweg en de Oude Kolk te Haarlem 1763

Editor: Here we have Hendrik Spilman's "Gezichten op de Zijlweg en de Oude Kolk te Haarlem," an etching and engraving from 1763. It's really three cityscapes stacked on top of each other. They all have such a calm, peaceful quality. What strikes you when you look at this work? Curator: You know, what captivates me is how Spilman uses the relatively restrictive medium of etching to create such expansive views. It feels like a little journey, doesn't it? The delicate lines somehow suggest not just the appearance of Haarlem but also the quiet rhythm of daily life. Does that make sense? And what's fascinating is each of those layers - did you notice the figures? Each scene contains small figures in action. The upper level is clearly outside the city. And look! – Someone is fishing in the second. Each miniature scene tells its own small tale. Do you think they give the sense of scale? Editor: I do see them, and how they establish a certain depth, creating different spaces for the eye to wander. So, would you say the purpose was to show both daily life *and* the city itself? Curator: I think you’re spot on. It's like Spilman's trying to freeze time. It is more than just a map, right? Editor: Absolutely! It's a little time capsule. It shows us Haarlem in that moment. Thank you for sharing these things.