Gezicht op de Tolsteegpoort te Utrecht 1773 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman created this print, “Gezicht op de Tolsteegpoort te Utrecht”, using etching techniques. In the 18th century, the Dutch Republic was a major player in global trade. Etchings like this one offered people a window into the cities which were the engines of this economic power. Spilman emphasizes the architecture of the Tolsteegpoort, a gate which regulated the flow of goods and people in and out of Utrecht. The detailed rendering speaks to the values of a society increasingly focused on commerce and the management of resources. We can almost feel the pulse of economic activity centered on the movement of goods and the collection of tolls. However, the image also shows the quiet daily life of the city. Figures in boats and people strolling along the water's edge. In these details, Spilman reveals the intersection of industry and nature, of public duty and private life.