Koppelpoort te Amersfoort 1849 - 1895

Willem Koekkoek created this pencil drawing of the Koppelpoort in Amersfoort. Koekkoek belonged to a family of well-known painters, and this work reflects the Dutch Romantic tradition. During the 19th century, there was a rise in national sentiment and an interest in preserving historical monuments. The Koppelpoort, originally built in the Middle Ages as part of the city’s defense system, acquired a symbolic value. The Koekkoek family were known for their landscape paintings of Dutch life, which often depicted national architecture. Through his choice of subject matter, Koekkoek engaged in a dialogue about national identity and collective memory. This drawing invites us to reflect on how we connect with places and how these places shape our sense of belonging and remembrance. What does it mean to safeguard these historical sites? What stories do they tell about our past, and how do they influence our present?