Gezicht op Hulst 1674

Gaspar Bouttats created this vista of Hulst using etching, a technique that allows for incredible detail. Notice the formidable city walls, punctuated by church spires, symbols of spiritual and temporal power. These walls, rising as a protective barrier, evoke a sense of security but also separation. The walls are a motif echoed through time, from ancient Jericho to modern-day borders, always representing a division. In some depictions, city walls are porous and accommodating, while in others, they are rigid and stark, reflecting the fears and desires of the society that built them. The church spires reach upwards, linking the earthly and divine realms, yet also assert the dominance of religious institutions. These symbols are not static; they evolve, taking on new meanings as they journey through history. What feelings do these barriers evoke in you? Perhaps a sense of safety, or confinement? This powerful engagement with such deep-seated emotions makes the image memorable, and helps the collective memory to endure.