Huis met trapgevel 1736 - 1775

Editor: This is Jan Caspar Philips's "Huis met trapgevel," an engraving from the mid-18th century depicting a step-gabled house. It feels very formal and almost like a portrait of a building. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This engraving isn’t just a portrait, it's a document, a record imbued with cultural significance. The step-gabled house was a prominent architectural feature in the Dutch Golden Age, wasn't it? And how did those houses reflect the socio-economic status and aspirations of its inhabitants? Editor: I guess it shows prosperity. These houses look very solid. Curator: Precisely! But more than wealth, consider what is written just below the gabled facade. The building portrayed here, as evidenced in this inscription, sheltered the famous Dutch poet Jacob Cats. That being stated, would you then argue that this house embodies more than Dutch material culture and its emphasis on order and structure? Can we view this portrayal of Dutch heritage through an intersectional lens that is open to art, class, and politics? Editor: That's a great question. I had been focusing only on the architectural style itself, but understanding the legacy of this specific house, especially regarding Jacob Cats and his importance as a moralist and poet, gives it much more depth. Curator: And remember that the choice of engraving as a medium also makes this artwork more accessible than a painting. Think about how this engraving could reach a wider audience. Is it more of a democratizing effort than an aesthetic pursuit? Editor: I never thought about it that way, considering printmaking through a socio-political framework of access and wider impact. Curator: Exactly, and analyzing from different standpoints provides insight into the intersections between art, social class, gender and political thought!