Domtoren in Utrecht 1842 - 1897

This print of the Domtoren in Utrecht was made by J. Bos Wz., although the precise date remains unknown to us. We can, however, begin to imagine its purpose and the culture that created it. In the absence of other information, the style of the architecture suggests the print was likely made sometime in the nineteenth century, when accurate depictions of buildings were particularly popular among the rising middle class. The Domtoren itself was built much earlier, between 1321 and 1382, and served as the cathedral's bell tower and a symbol of civic pride for the city. The print’s clean lines and precise rendering speak to the values of rationalism, empiricism and perhaps nationalism that were prevalent in Europe at that time. By examining city archives, period newspapers, and architectural publications, we might deepen our understanding of the print’s role in shaping public perceptions of Utrecht and its built environment.