Gezicht op de Beemsterpoort en gezicht op de Hoornse Poort te Purmerend, 1726 1757 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman created this print, “View of the Beemster Gate and View of the Hoornse Gate at Purmerend,” in 1726, just five years after his birth. The young Spilman captures the gates of Purmerend, offering us a glimpse into the architecture that defined the Dutch landscape of the 18th century. But these aren't just architectural studies; they're also social landscapes. In the upper panel, notice the figures sitting by the water. Are they merchants, travelers, or locals? Spilman includes them, allowing us to reflect on the daily lives unfolding against the backdrop of these structures. The windmill in the lower panel wasn't just a picturesque feature; it was the engine of the Dutch economy, crucial for land reclamation and trade. Spilman’s work invites us to consider how the natural landscape and human intervention were in constant dialogue, shaping not only the land but also the social and economic fabric of Dutch society. These images are documents of a place and time but also reflections on the relationship between space, identity, and progress.