Gezicht op de Oostpoort te Delft, 1757 1757 - 1797

Paulus van Liender made this print of the Oostpoort in Delft in 1757. The image gives us a glimpse into the urban landscape of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by flourishing trade and artistic innovation. The print creates meaning through its depiction of the city gate, a symbol of Delft's economic and political power in the Netherlands. The inclusion of a windmill in the background further emphasizes the city’s reliance on industry and technology for its prosperity. As an art historian, I’m interested in how this image reflects the social structures of its time. Was the artist self-consciously conservative or progressive? Did he critique the institutions of art? These are the kinds of questions we can explore by delving into the social and institutional contexts in which the artwork was made. By using period sources, we can better understand the public role of art in 18th century Delft.