Gezicht op Kasteel Bronkhorst en gezicht op de poort van Kasteel Bronkhorst 1745 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman created this print of Bronkhorst Castle and its gate in 1743. During this period, the Dutch Republic was navigating its identity in the aftermath of its Golden Age. The print offers a glimpse into the social hierarchy of the time, contrasting the imposing structure of the castle with the figures of commoners on the lower half. Consider what it meant to render the castle in such detail, while ordinary people are included almost as an afterthought. This wasn’t just a depiction of buildings; it was a statement about power, class, and the spaces each occupied in Dutch society. Spilman's composition invites us to consider the narratives embedded within the landscape, and how these images reinforced or challenged the status quo. It's a reflection on belonging, authority, and the stories we tell about ourselves through the places we inhabit.