Maritime museum Amsterdam – L. Oeder after Ludwig Rohbock, 1852-1855

“Amsterdam – Marine.” Steel engraving made by L. Oeder after a drawing by Ludwig Rohbock, published in 1852–1855 by Georg Gustav Lange as part of „Het koningrijk der Nederlanden, voorgesteld in eene reeks van naar de natuur geteekende schilderachtige gezigten” [The Kingdom of the Netherlands, presented in a series of picturesque views drawn from nature], written by Johannes Leonardus Terwen. Coloured by a later hand. Size (including text): approx. 12.5 × 16.5 cm.

At the centre of the scene stands ’s Lands Zeemagazijn; on the far left the Oosterdok, and on the far right the Kattenburger Bridge.

’s Lands Zeemagazijn was the principal building of the Admiralty of Amsterdam, one of the five Admiralty Boards responsible for protecting the merchant fleet and the territory of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands at sea. To this end, the war fleet had to be equipped, supplied, and maintained. The goods required for this purpose—such as ship’s equipment and weapons—were stored in the magazine.

The magazine was completed in 1656 under the supervision of Amsterdam city architect Daniël Stalpaert. The foundation stone was laid on 28 September 1655. Thanks to the employment of an unusually large number of carpenters and masons, the building was ready for use after only nine months.

By 1740 the structure was in poor condition. Under the weight of the cannons the building began to subside, after which it was supported by a heavy brick retaining wall, still extant today, built around it. Not only did these buttresses strengthen the building, but central projections (risalits) were also added to the sides, giving it an even more symmetrical appearance. On the night of 5–6 July 1791 the building went up in flames (only the walls remained standing), but it was immediately rebuilt by city architect Abraham van der Hart (1747–1820). This reconstruction lasted until 1793. The walls were repaired and plastered in the colour of Bentheim sandstone.

Because of this finish, the building appears to be constructed of large sandstone blocks. It served as a naval storehouse until 1795, when the Admiralty was abolished. Afterwards it was used as a naval warehouse. Since 1973 the building has housed the National Maritime Museum.

Johannes Leonardus Terwen (1813–1873) was a Dutch schoolteacher in Gouda who wrote several books on the history and topography of the Netherlands, of which The Kingdom of the Netherlands, with steel engravings of all major cities and towns, is among the most important.

Price: Euro 125,-