Steenpoort en Vospoort te Goch, 1737-1741

Paulus van Liender created these prints of Steenpoort en Vospoort in Goch between 1737 and 1741. The prints present the gates as stoic landmarks, framing the daily lives of 18th-century Goch residents. Liender’s work provides insight into the social dynamics of the period. Look closely and you'll notice how the figures populating these scenes reflect a rigid class structure, with merchants, farmers, and laborers each playing distinct roles. These detailed engravings invite us to consider how urban infrastructure shapes community identity. While the gates physically controlled access to the city, the prints themselves open a window into a world of social hierarchies and economic activities, reflecting the complex interplay of power and identity in 18th-century Dutch society.