Stadsgezicht met brug 1889

This etching, "Cityscape with Bridge", was made by Henri Wouters in 1889. It captures a familiar scene in the Netherlands: a canal, a drawbridge, and the suggestion of industrial activity. It is a scene that reflects the Netherlands' economic and social landscape at the end of the 19th century. The black and white etching shows a grittiness due to the Industrial Revolution. The drawbridge is both a literal and metaphorical link between communities. Such bridges are typically found in working-class districts in harbor cities. We see this scene through Wouters’ eyes, but it is a view shared by many who lived and worked in these areas. By studying city archives, newspapers, and other primary sources, we can understand how places like this shaped the lives of ordinary people, and how artists like Wouters sought to capture these experiences. Art history is just one tool for understanding the social context.