Gezicht op en plattegrond van de Sint-Lievensmonstertoren en de Sint-Lievenskerk Possibly 1657 - 1658

Anthonis Pietersz. van der Willigen made this print of the Sint-Lievensmonstertoren and the Sint-Lievenskerk, using etching, in the Netherlands. Consider the social function of this kind of image in the 17th century. This is a very precise rendering of a church and a tower, accompanied by architectural plans and text, all framed by an ornate cartouche with the coat of arms of the city of Zierikzee. It speaks to civic pride and investment in the institutions of the church, the government and the guild system. We can tell that this print was intended for a literate, well-to-do audience, who would have appreciated its detail, and would have valued the way it testified to the city's cultural achievements. Understanding the image's complex symbolism requires us to become something of an archival sleuth, piecing together the social and political context of the artwork. It's a reminder that the meaning of art is never fixed.