Gezicht op de Koemarkt en gezicht op het stadhuis te Purmerend, 1726 1757 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman created this print in 1726, capturing two distinct views of Purmerend: the Koemarkt, or cow market, and the city hall. This work offers a glimpse into the civic and economic heart of a Dutch town during the early 18th century. Spilman's precise lines depict not just buildings but also the daily lives of Purmerend's inhabitants. The figures populating the market and streets represent a cross-section of society. The presence of the cow market itself speaks volumes about the town’s economy and its dependence on agriculture. It is tempting to consider how gender roles were enacted in such a space. Who were the sellers, the buyers, the merchants? What did they trade and how did they interact? While seemingly a straightforward depiction, this print invites us to reflect on the values and structures that shaped the lives of people in 18th-century Netherlands. The buildings and the people within them offer a silent narrative of a time and place, echoing the voices of those who once walked these streets.