Pelsertoren te Zwolle c. 1632 - 1633

This is a pen and ink drawing of the Pelsertoren in Zwolle, made by Gerard ter Borch II in the 17th century. The Pelsertoren was part of Zwolle’s city fortifications. It had a bloody history as a site of executions, and the tower itself was eventually destroyed in 1673 when Zwolle was under threat from the invading army of the Bishop of Munster. This sketch gives us a tantalizing glimpse into Dutch civic life during the Golden Age. The Dutch Republic was unique in 17th-century Europe because it was ruled by a merchant class, not an aristocracy. The fortifications in this image remind us that although the Dutch Golden Age was a time of booming trade and artistic innovation, the threat of war was ever present. Ter Borch likely made this sketch in preparation for a history painting, a genre that was gaining popularity during this period. As art historians, we seek to understand the social conditions that shape artistic production. By consulting archival sources and studying the material culture of the time, we can learn more about the world in which Ter Borch lived and worked.