Leiden, Botermarkt – Paulus Lauters / Desguerrois & Co., 1836-1840
€325
THE BOTERMARKT AND KOORNBRUG IN LEIDEN, CA. 1836–1840
“Leijden. Botermarkt. / Marché au beurre.” Lithograph after a drawing by Paulus Lauters, printed and published in Amsterdam by Desguerrois & Co., ca. 1836–1840, as part of the series “Hoofdgebouwen en gezichten der Voornaamste Steden van Holland” [Principal Buildings and Views of the Most Important Cities of Holland]. Later hand-coloured. Dimensions: image 15.8 × 22.3 cm; including text 18.7 × 23.7 cm.
The view shows the Botermarkt in Leiden as seen from the Gangetje. On the left, a long row of houses and shops extends along the Botermarkt; on the right flows the Nieuwe Rijn, with several boats and barges moored along its banks. In the foreground, the iron bridge railing serves as a repoussoir, while pedestrians, merchants, a cart loaded with goods and the activity on the water enliven the cityscape. This viewpoint, with the Botermarkt on the left and the Nieuwe Rijn on the right, is also familiar from later views of Leiden.
In the distance stands the monumental Koornbrug, which had been provided with covered galleries in 1824. The wooden roofs protected the grain traded here from rain and other inclement weather. When Lauters drew this view, these characteristic galleries were therefore still a relatively recent addition. Behind the bridge, the tower of Leiden Town Hall rises above the surrounding buildings.
For centuries, the Botermarkt formed part of the extensive market district around the Nieuwe Rijn. As early as the sixteenth century, butter, cheese, milk, poultry and other foodstuffs were traded between the Koornbrug and the former Karnemelksbrug. The print therefore offers not only an attractive city view, but also a glimpse of the commercial heart of Leiden during the first half of the nineteenth century.
The Brussels artist Paulus Lauters (1806–1875) was a painter and draughtsman, but above all a prolific lithographer. For Desguerrois he produced a series of Dutch city views, including several scenes of Leiden, such as the Waag, the Burcht and the Gravensteen.
Price: Euro 325,-
