Gezicht op de Berkelpoort te Zutphen 1880 - 1915

Jacobus Cornelis Kuijper captured this photograph of the Berkelpoort in Zutphen, offering us a glimpse into Dutch urban life at the turn of the 20th century. The Berkelpoort, acting as both a bridge and a gate, signifies connection and division. Reflecting on gender and labor, who crossed this gate and under what conditions? Consider the lives of working-class women, who navigated these spaces balancing domestic duties with the demands of the industrial era. The Berkel River itself served as a vital waterway for trade and transportation, but also as a site of labor for those who toiled along its banks. Kuijper's photograph prompts us to reflect on the layers of history embedded in this urban landscape. It captures a moment in time and invites us to consider the narratives of those who shaped its identity.