Boschpoort te Maastricht 1857

Alexander Schaepkens created this artwork, "Boschpoort te Maastricht", using lithography. Schaepkens was working during a time of significant social and political change in Europe. We see the gate as a symbol of boundaries and transitions; in the 19th century many Europeans crossed borders in search of new opportunities or refuge, and the gate becomes more than just a physical structure—it's a space where lives intersect. The detailed rendering of the gate, juxtaposed with the faceless figures crossing it, evokes questions about who is allowed passage and who is excluded. How do these historical structures shape our understanding of identity and belonging? The artist invites us to reflect on the complexities of movement and migration that continue to resonate today. The depiction of daily life around the gate becomes a meditation on the human experience within the broader scope of history.