Amsterdam 1275-1925 – Huib Luns, 1925

EXHIBITION POSTER AMSTERDAM 650 YEARS

“Amsterdam 1275–1925”. Colour lithograph printed by Senefelder after a design by Huib Luns. Size: 127 × 72 cm (framed: 142 × 87 cm).

From July to September 1925, Amsterdam was quite literally decorated and celebrated. The city organized an extensive jubilee program. For the administrative and social elite, there were formal occasions such as a reception at City Hall and a gala dinner at the Royal Palace on Dam Square. At the same time, the city government arranged popular festivities involving all citizens. For the first time in the history of municipal celebrations, events were held for young and old, rich and poor, throughout the entire city.

As this poster attests, a dual exhibition also took place at the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. There, the city’s rich history was presented on a grand scale.

Although the 1925 celebrations largely looked back, Amsterdam was also decidedly looking forward. The city was rapidly expanding—by the mid-1920s the population was approaching 750,000—and its territory was growing. H.P. Berlage’s “Plan Zuid” was underway, resulting in new neighborhoods such as the Apollo and Stadionbuurt. Not long after 1925, Amsterdam would step onto the world stage as host of the 1928 Olympic Games.

The historical exhibition of that year, heralded by Huib Luns’ striking poster in Amsterdam School style, served as the symbolic highlight of the jubilee festivities. It showed residents and visitors not only the milestones of Amsterdam’s past, but also reinforced a sense of continuity. People celebrated how far the city had come in 650 years, while looking to the future with confidence. The prevailing slogan was never spoken outright, but its message was unmistakably felt: Amsterdam – 650 years young and full of energy.

Prijs: Euro 1.950,- (incl. lijst)