Gezicht op het Burgerweeshuis, de Regulierskerk en de Korenmarkt te Utrecht 1757 - 1758

This etching shows the Burgerweeshuis, the Regulierskerk, and the Korenmarkt in Utrecht and was created by Caspar Jacobsz. Philips in the 18th century. The image offers a window into the social and economic life of the Dutch Republic during that time. Note how the Burgerweeshuis, or civic orphanage, looms large in the picture, reflecting the importance of charitable institutions in Dutch society. The Regulierskerk, a Protestant church, stands as a testament to the religious landscape of the era. The Korenmarkt, or grain market, suggests the economic activity that sustained the city. The city's elites ride past in carriages, while ordinary people walk and sell goods, revealing a hierarchical social order. To better understand this image, one might consult historical maps, archival records of the Burgerweeshuis, and economic data from the period. Art history isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about unearthing the social, cultural, and institutional contexts that give meaning to a work of art.