Gezicht op de Maartensbrug over de Oudegracht te Utrecht 1742 - 1801

Georg Balthasar Probst created this print of the Maartensbrug over the Oudegracht in Utrecht. Prints like this one were popular during the 18th century as they provided a window into the urban life of the Dutch Republic. But it’s worth asking, whose view is represented in this scene? The buildings suggest a prosperous merchant class, while the figures in boats along the canal indicate the presence of working-class individuals who depended on the waterways for their livelihoods. This composition subtly highlights a hierarchy within the society of Utrecht. The bridge itself acts as a physical and symbolic connector, yet it also separates those who traverse it in carriages from those who navigate the waters below. How might the experience of the city differ based on one's position in this social landscape? This print not only captures a moment in time but also invites us to reflect on the complex social dynamics that shaped urban life in the Dutch Republic.