Gezicht op de Oosterpoort te Hoorn, 1620 1727 - 1733

Abraham Rademaker etched this view of the Oosterpoort in Hoorn around 1720, a time when the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power. The image is a visual record but also a commentary on civic identity. Defensive structures like the Oosterpoort were crucial for trade and security. The scene shows daily life - a fisherman, a rowboat. These details create a sense of the town's economic vitality. The choice of printmaking itself is telling. Prints were easily reproduced, making images accessible to a wide audience. This helped to promote a shared sense of place and pride during the Dutch Golden Age. To understand this work, we delve into archives, maps, and period writings. These resources reveal the dynamic interplay between art, commerce, and civic life in the Dutch Republic. By studying the history of the print, we see how art is always embedded in social and institutional contexts.