Small Town (Town Gate at Gorkum?) 

This etching, titled "Small Town (Town Gate at Gorkum?)," was made by Jan Hackaert, a Dutch artist, during the Dutch Golden Age. It depicts a fortified town gate, complete with a round tower and a waterway, all enveloped in lush vegetation. The image gives us a sense of the Dutch relationship with the landscape and the built environment. During the 17th century, the Netherlands was a hub of global trade and artistic innovation. The detailed rendering of this typical town is a reminder of the many local centres that contributed to Dutch economic and cultural life. Notice the contrast between the architectural structure of the gate and the natural forms of the trees. The country invested heavily in infrastructure and defense, and this small scene alludes to that investment. The etching hints at the prosperity and civic pride characteristic of the Dutch Republic, but also invites further historical research into topics such as Dutch landscape conventions or the nature of urban life in the Golden Age.