Stadhuis van Antwerpen, 1685 1685

Gaspar Bouttats created this print of the Stadhuis van Antwerpen in 1685. During this period, printmaking served not only as a means of artistic expression but also as a powerful tool for disseminating information and shaping public perception. Consider the role of the Stadhuis itself. It's not merely a building, but a symbol of civic authority and identity in a city that had experienced major shifts in power and religious upheaval. The grandeur of the architecture, captured meticulously by Bouttats, speaks to the aspirations of a city seeking to reassert its prominence. How much of the city’s self-image is tied to this architecture? Bouttats, through his detailed engraving, invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between architecture, power, and collective memory. The image becomes a mirror reflecting the city's aspirations, struggles, and enduring spirit.