Amsterdam, Amstel canal – Daniël Stoopendaal, c. 1720
€395
THE AMSTEL CANAL
“Le Pont de l’Amstel.” Etching with engraving made by Daniël Stoopendaal (1672–1726), published around 1720. Coloured by a later hand. Size (plate mark): 40 x 45.6 cm.
After the expansion of the ‘grachtengordel‘ [canal belt] with the Fourth Extension, a bridge was built over the Amstel in 1662 that connected the city walls on either side of the river. The bridge was constructed at the same height as the walls, approximately six meters, and was soon called the “Hooge Sluis” (High Sluice).
We see the Amstel here from this Hooge Sluis looking northward toward the Amstel locks, the Magere Brug (built in 1691, then still called Kerkstraatbrug), and the Blauwbrug.
The Amstel locks were constructed to improve the water circulation of the tidal river Amstel and the city’s inner canals. This was meant to combat the increasing pollution of the Amstel and the canals. Initially, two locks were planned, but this was later changed to three: a large one in the center and a smaller one on either side. Between the outer locks and the Amstel quays, there was at that time a sluice gate. The wooden houses were used for collecting municipal excise duties. The brick house on the left was for the lockkeeper.
In the background, behind the Blauwbrug, we see the Diaconie Orphanage, where the Stopera (opera house and city hall) stands today. On the right side of the Amstel, where a windmill can be seen in the print, stands Theater Carré since 1887.
The print is the separately issued shortened right-hand sheet of a larger view of the Amstel.
Price: Euro 395,-
