Gezicht op het Catharina Gasthuis te Gouda 1859

Gijsbertus Johannes Verspuy created this print of the St. Catherine's Hospital in Gouda. The print captures a moment in the daily life of the hospital, with figures, possibly nuns, walking along the cobbled street. Verspuy, working in the mid-19th century, operated within a society marked by distinct class structures and religious influences, factors that profoundly shaped the function and perception of institutions like St. Catherine's. The hospital itself, with its religious affiliation, played a crucial role in caring for the sick and the poor, a reflection of the societal values and the gendered division of labor of the time. Women, often associated with caregiving, found spaces for service and community within these institutions. The image evokes a sense of quietude and order, yet it also subtly alludes to the complex social dynamics at play within the hospital walls. Verspuy’s work offers a glimpse into a world where religious institutions provided essential services.