Tongersepoort te Maastricht 1857

This is Alexander Schaepkens' depiction of the Tongersepoort in Maastricht, rendered with pen in brown and black ink, and watercolor in shades of brown, green and gray. Schaepkens, born in Maastricht, devoted much of his artistic career to capturing the architectural heritage of his hometown. During the 19th century, Maastricht was a city marked by its military significance, and the Tongersepoort was a key element of its fortifications. What's striking about this image is the convergence of the military architecture with the everyday life of the working class. The laborers and their horse-drawn carts contrast with the stoic stone gate. It serves as a powerful reminder that cities are not just built of stone and strategy, but also of human labor, resilience, and the stories of the people who live within and around them. While on the one hand this is a depiction of a physical place, it's also a portrait of a society in transit.