Vuilpoort in Dordrecht 1872

Carel Frederik Bendorp made this print of the Vuilpoort in Dordrecht using etching around 1820. Bendorp was working during a time of significant social and political change in the Netherlands, as industrialization and urbanization were rapidly transforming the country. Look at the intricate details of the architecture. The gate, literally translated as 'rubbish gate' offers an interesting commentary on urban spaces and the role of marginalized areas. What does it mean to relegate certain populations or activities to the margins of a city? The gate stands as a threshold between different worlds, both physically and metaphorically. Consider how Bendorp's decision to depict this particular location reflects his own perceptions of society and class divisions. Are we invited to contemplate the experiences of those who inhabited or passed through this gate? The print invites us to reflect on the complex dynamics of urban life and the ways in which the built environment shapes our understanding of social hierarchies and power structures.