BUSY 18TH CENTURY AMSTERDAM CANAL
“Gezicht op de Binnen Amstel en Schut Sluys, ‘t Diaken Weeshuys nabij de Blauwe Brug vanaf de Amstelbrug gezien.” [View of the inner Amstel river and lock, the orphanage near the Blauwbrug, seen from the Amstel Bridge.” Etching with engraving printed from 2 copper plates, made by Daniël Stoopendael (1672-1726), published in Amsterdam by the Widow of Nicolaas Visscher around 1720. Coloured by a later hand. Size (plate): approx. 57,8 x 94 cm.
After the enlargement of the so called ‘Grachtengordel’ [today’s canal district] with a fourth extention, a bridge was built over the Amstel in 1662, connecting the city walls on both sides of the river. The bridge had the same height as the ramparts, approx. six meters, and was therefore soon called ‘Hogesluis’ [high lock]. Here we see the Amstel river from this Hogesluis in a northerly direction to the Amstelsluizen, the Magere Brug (built in 1691) and the Blauwbrug.
The Amstel locks were constructed to improve the water renewal of the tidal river Amstel and the so called ‘Burgwallen’. This was to prevent the strongly increased pollution of the Amstel and the canals. Initially there were to be two locks, later this was changed to three: a large one in the middle and a smaller one on either side. At that time there was a sluice gate between the outer locks and the two Amstel quays. The wooden houses were used for the collection of municipal taxes. The brick house on the left was for the lock keeper.
In the background, behind the Blauwbrug, we see the Diaconie Weeshuis (an orphanage), where the Stopera (town hall/opera building) is located today. On the right side of the Amstel (where there is a windmill), is the location of the Carré theater since 1887.
This large print is from a series of 25 separately published cityscapes and provides a magnificent picture of life in Amsterdam at the beginning of the 18th century.
Reference: Hollstein 11; auction R.W.P. de Vries 1925, lot no. 275; auction Leonhardt collection, Christie’s 1989, lot no. 29.
Price: Euro 4,850 (incl. frame)
