Nieuwjaarswens van de lantaarnopstekers van Amsterdam voor het jaar 1841 1840 - 1841

Editor: So, here we have "New Year's Wish of the Lamplighters of Amsterdam for the year 1841," created somewhere between 1840 and 1841. It's an engraving by Jacob Coldewijn, and currently resides in the Rijksmuseum. It's got this wonderfully quaint feel, like a peek into a very specific moment in time. I'm particularly drawn to the detail in the cityscape above all of that archaic lettering. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: For me, it’s the glow of those lanterns against the encroaching darkness that whispers volumes. Think about it – the lamplighters, unsung heroes, literally bringing light to a world teetering on the edge of night. Coldewijn captures a moment of transition, a liminal space between safety and uncertainty. Can you imagine the anxieties of the city dwellers as dusk approached? Editor: I can see that, the etching definitely portrays that almost vulnerable time in the late afternoon. Was it typical to depict lamplighters at the time? Curator: Not just that! See how this isn't just an image, but also a New Year’s greeting? The lamplighters are offering not just light, but also a symbolic wish for prosperity and safety in the coming year, linking their practical service to communal wellbeing. Notice the little verses beneath the illustration - they elaborate this very theme, a poetic gesture reflecting the hopes and fears of a society on the cusp of change. Makes you wonder, doesn't it, what our modern equivalent might be? A tweet from a city worker? It lacks the same… flourish, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Definitely lacks the flourish! Thinking about those "unsung heroes" wishing prosperity as they light the lamps is kind of wonderful, especially after staring so intently. Curator: Exactly. It's a piece that keeps on giving.