Amsterdam – Hendrik de Leth / Covens & Mortier, ca. 1740

ONE OF THE FINEST 18TH-CENTURY CITY PORTRAITS OF AMSTERDAM

“Allerheerlykst Gezicht van de Stadt Amsterdam in haar geheele uitgestrektheit langs den scheepryken Ystroom. / Vue du fameux Port du ‘t Y, de la renommée Ville Marchande d’Amsterdam. Depuis le Tol-Heck, vers ses Eglises, Edifices.” Copperplate engraving in two sheets. Made by Hendrik de Leth, here in a second state published around 1740 by Johannes Covens and Cornelis Mortier. With original hand colouring. Size (print): 56 x 90 cm; (frame): 87 x 121 cm.

This monumental engraving ranks among the most impressive city profiles of Amsterdam from the eighteenth century. From a low vantage point on the IJ, a panoramic view unfolds across the entire southern side of the harbour city, from the Funen and the Eastern Islands on the left to the bastion Leeuwenburg, also known as Blauwhoofd, on the right. The composition is carefully constructed: the broad foreground is dominated by lively shipping traffic full of East Indiamen, merchant ships, fishing vessels and longboats, while behind them the silhouette of Amsterdam traces a long architectural horizon beneath an expansive clouded sky.

The artist deliberately chose a viewpoint just a few metres above the water’s surface, as if the viewer were themselves aboard a vessel in the middle of the IJ. This creates a convincing sense of depth, with masts and rigging forming a rhythmic network through which the city remains visible. The most important buildings are depicted slightly enlarged to enhance the recognisability of the city profile. Clearly identifiable are, among others, the warehouse of the Admiralty, the Oosterkerk, ‘s Lands Zeemagazijn, the Montelbaanstoren, the Zuiderkerk, the Munt tower, the Oude Kerk, the Town Hall and Nieuwe Kerk, the Westerkerk and the Noorderkerk.

The allegorical title cartouche underscores Amsterdam’s international reputation as a commercial metropolis. Putti hold the bilingual title banderole, while attributes of Mercury — winged helmet, caduceus and money pouch — allude to trade, prosperity and worldwide commercial power. The city coat of arms bearing the imperial crown further emphasises the civic pride and autonomy of Amsterdam during the Republic’s golden age.

On the stern of the large ship in the foreground, the name “De Visser” appears alongside the initials “H de L“. This combination forms a subtle reference to both the maker Hendrik de Leth and to the celebrated Amsterdam publishing dynasty of Visscher. Hendrik’s father, Andries de Leth, originally worked as a so-called faktor (agent and salesman) for the book, map and print trade “In de Visscher” of Nicolaes Visscher at the Beurssluis. After the death of the Visscher family, Andries took over the running of the business. The print must originally have been made between 1728 and 1731, shortly after Hendrik de Leth had joined the booksellers’ guild and become his father’s partner. The copper plates later passed into the possession of Johannes Covens and Cornelis Mortier, who reissued the print around 1740.

Below the image there is an extensive legend with numbered locations and buildings. The print thus serves not only as a decorative city portrait, but also as a topographically precise survey of Amsterdam at the dawn of the eighteenth century.

Price: Euro 6.500,- (incl. frame)