Twee stadgezichten te Amsterdam: Rasphuis en Stads Armenhuis of Werkhuis 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp made this print, titled 'Twee stadgezichten te Amsterdam: Rasphuis en Stads Armenhuis of Werkhuis', sometime between 1750 and 1814. The print offers a glimpse into Amsterdam's social infrastructure during the 18th century, a period defined by burgeoning capitalism and stark class divisions. Here, Bendorp depicts two distinct institutions: the Rasphuis, a house of correction for men, and the Stads Armenhuis, a workhouse for the poor. The Rasphuis, with its imposing facade, evokes a sense of confinement and control, whereas the workhouse, situated by the water, suggests a different kind of labor and perhaps, a different path to redemption. These institutions were not merely buildings but reflections of a society grappling with poverty, crime, and social order. They embody the complex interplay between moral judgment, economic necessity, and the lived experiences of those marginalized by society. Bendorp's print invites us to reflect on the lives of the individuals who passed through these institutions and the broader societal structures that shaped their destinies.