De Steenpoort & Leeuw Poort tot Emerik c. 1740

Jan de Beijer captured these views of the Steenpoort and Leeuw Poort in Emmerich, likely in the mid-18th century, using pen and ink. The gates, stoic and imposing, are potent symbols of civic power and protection. Notice how the architecture dominates the landscape, serving not just as physical barriers, but as symbolic thresholds. Consider the recurrence of fortified gates throughout history, from ancient city walls to medieval castles. Each iteration embodies humanity’s perennial need for security, but also our desire to define and defend our territories. Like the Roman city gates, these structures were not merely defensive; they were also ceremonial. The archway itself— a motif echoing through Roman triumphal arches and Renaissance portals—represents passage, transition, and the promise of what lies beyond. The ever-changing urban landscape that they framed reminds us that, while civilizations rise and fall, the deep-seated human drives for order and control persist, subtly shaping our world.