Huizenrij in Amsterdam 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen made this drawing of houses in Amsterdam, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. He was part of a generation of Dutch artists reacting against academic art and the conservative art establishment. Working at a time when the Netherlands was undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization, Witsen focused on the everyday life of the city. He was part of a circle of artists and writers known as the Tachtigers, or "Eightiers," who promoted individualism and experimentation. Their work was often associated with the French Impressionists and other avant-garde movements. "Huizenrij in Amsterdam" gives us a glimpse into the architecture of Amsterdam, a city shaped by its history of trade and tolerance. It's a wonderful example of how an artist can find beauty and meaning in the ordinary. Historians might consult city archives, period newspapers, and other primary sources to shed light on the social and cultural context of Witsen's work, and what the drawing tells us about the way Amsterdam saw itself.