Gezicht op de Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam 1848 - 1902

Frans Schikkinger made this etching of the Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam sometime in the late 19th century. As a genre scene, this work invites us to consider the social fabric of Amsterdam and the changing roles of its inhabitants. The scene portrays a bustling marketplace, reflective of Amsterdam’s central role in trade and commerce during the period. Schikkinger shows us the everyday lives of ordinary people. Marketplaces were vital spaces for women, who often dominated the selling of produce and goods. The market wasn't just a place of economic exchange, it was also a social hub, where women could exercise a degree of independence and agency outside the domestic sphere. The artist shows the Nieuwmarkt with the Waag building, which had various functions including as a guildhall and a weigh house. The image might evoke feelings of nostalgia for a bygone era, or spark a reflection on the ongoing negotiation of public space in contemporary urban life.