Amsterdam, tow barges on the Amstel – follower of Jan de Beijer, end 18th century
€3.450
FINE VIEW OF THE BINNEN AMSTEL WITH TOW BARGES
Pen and watercolour drawing executed in the late 18th century by a follower of Jan de Beijer. Size: 25 × 37.5 cm.
We are looking across the Binnen Amstel (the Amstel river within the Amsterdam city boundaries), with two tow barges belonging to the ’s-Graveland ferry service in the foreground, and westwards towards the Schapenplein (today’s Muntplein), with the Munttoren beyond. Spanning the water is the Halvemaansbrug. To the right of the Munttoren are the Engelse Huizen [English Houses] and the back of the Nieuwe Doelenstraat.
From this spot, scheduled packet boats sailed to the village of ’s-Graveland in the Gooi region, where a number of affluent Amsterdam families maintained country estates. Travel by boat was preferred to travelling by carriage, since the roads were paved in very few places.
At the far end of the Halvemaansbrug, to the left and outside the picture, stands today’s Kleine Komedie theatre, while the Halvemaansteeg leads towards Rembrandtplein. Although the wooden drawbridge was replaced in 1863, this remains one of Amsterdam’s picturesque corners.
The Amsterdam City Archives preserves a drawing by Jan de Beijer and an engraving by Simon Fokke (after a slightly different drawing by Jan de Beijer), which, although differing particularly in the staffage, must have served as models for the present drawing.
Price: Euro 3.450,- (incl. frame)
