Twee stadgezichten te Goes met de Westpoort en de Koepoort 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp created these two cityscapes of Goes, featuring the Westpoort and the Koepoort, using etching. Bendorp, born in the Dutch Republic during the 18th century, would have been formed by the cultural norms of his time. These prints offer us a glimpse into the world as it was seen and understood then. The detailed landscapes and architectural accuracy speak to a society deeply invested in its own image and identity. But who was this image for? Who had the privilege to own and display such works? Consider the figures populating these scenes; they are rendered with less detail than the buildings, almost generic. This choice might reflect the social hierarchies of the time, where the elite and their structures held a dominant position over the lives and stories of the ordinary people. The waterways were essential for trade and transport, yet the people who navigated them are reduced to mere silhouettes. These cityscapes do more than just represent locations. They subtly underline the power dynamics inherent in 18th-century Dutch society.