Gezicht op de Helpoort te Maastricht, gezien vanaf de veldzijde 1831 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens made this etching of the Helpoort in Maastricht in the nineteenth century. This image offers us a glimpse into the ways that urban spaces can become intertwined with identity, memory, and political life. Note how Schaepkens captured the monument's imposing scale, and the figures, dwarfed by the gate's looming presence. Created in the Netherlands, this work reflects a time when the rise of nation-states led to a renewed interest in local history. City views like this one served to strengthen civic pride. They helped in the construction of a shared past but also in marking territory and establishing boundaries. The 'Gezicht op de Helpoort' is not just a picture of a city gate, it’s a statement about who belongs and what stories matter. By exploring archives, local histories, and urban planning documents we can understand how this image participates in shaping cultural identity and historical narratives.