Gezicht op het stadhuis van Middelburg 1652 - 1679

Pieter Hendricksz. Schut created this print of the town hall of Middelburg, likely during the mid-17th century. The image presents an idealized view of civic life in the Dutch Republic. At the time, the Republic was a major center of trade and a beacon of relative religious tolerance. The town hall itself is depicted as a grand, ornate building, a testament to the city's wealth and power. The inscription held by cherubs above, “Curia Mediobvrgensis,” simply names the building, as if to emphasize its self-evident importance. Look at the figures populating the square: they represent a cross-section of society, going about their daily business. Consider how the print serves as a form of civic boosterism, promoting Middelburg as a prosperous and well-governed city. To understand the print’s function more fully, we could investigate the history of Middelburg itself, its role in the Dutch East India Company, and the political dynamics of the period. The image reminds us that art is always embedded in specific social and institutional contexts.