Gezicht op de stad Goedereede 1796 - 1798

This print, “Gezicht op de stad Goedereede,” was made by Anna Catharina Brouwer. Though undated, it is likely from the 18th or early 19th century. It gives us a birds-eye view into the materials and processes involved in town life. The method of production—likely etching or engraving—yields a tremendous amount of detail, from the windmill to the tower to the livestock in the field. The crisp lines are a testament to the skills involved in this form of printmaking. This print, and others like it, played a crucial role in shaping the image of the Netherlands. Note how Brouwer has given prominence to the figures in the foreground, suggesting daily labour. Also, it is no accident that the town's coat of arms appears just below the image, a clear reminder of civic pride, and the investment of labor required to sustain it. This print, therefore, is a reminder that art and life, image and identity, are all shaped by the hard work of making.