Toegangspoort after 1689

This line drawing, titled 'Toegangspoort,' or 'Gateway' in English, comes to us from an anonymous artist. We can consider this drawing as a window onto the socio-economic landscape of its time; the gateway, so symbolic of both exclusion and inclusion, may reflect the rigid social stratifications that characterized much of European history. Its intricate design, a fusion of aesthetic appeal and defensive intent, speaks volumes about the delicate balance between display of status and security. The elaborate crest at the top is particularly suggestive of the nobility, hinting at the power dynamics at play. It reminds us that access and visibility were, and perhaps still are, deeply intertwined with privilege. How does this gateway invite or deny entry? Whose stories remain untold behind such barriers? While offering visual delight, this gateway stands as a silent observer of history.