Gezicht op de Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk in Rotterdam 1786

This undated print by an anonymous artist gives us a view of the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk in Rotterdam. Architectural prints like this one served a public role beyond mere documentation. In the Dutch Republic, church buildings were not just sites of worship. They were also potent symbols of civic identity and pride, particularly in a port city like Rotterdam, a hub of commerce and exchange. Notice how the artist emphasizes the scale and solidity of the church, rendered with meticulous detail. Prints such as this one were often commissioned by city governments or religious institutions, and were made for distribution to a wide public. To better understand this print, we can turn to city archives, church records, and period maps, that reveal the relationship between the church and the surrounding urban fabric. These resources also allow us to examine the role the church played in the lives of Rotterdam's citizens, and the ways in which it shaped their social and cultural landscape. The meaning of this print is contingent on that context.