Gezicht op de Reguliersgracht 1860 - 1875

Andries Jager captured this albumen print of the Reguliersgracht in Amsterdam at a time when photography was rapidly changing the way cities were seen and documented. Consider the social implications of this shift. Previously, cityscapes were the domain of painters and printmakers, often reflecting the tastes and patronage of the elite. Photography, however, offered a seemingly objective and reproducible image, potentially democratizing access to visual representations of urban life. But was it truly democratic? The technology and expertise required for photography meant that access was still limited. Who was commissioning and consuming these images? Were they used to promote tourism, celebrate urban development, or perhaps document social inequalities? These are questions that social historians like myself might ask. By exploring archives, newspapers, and other period documents, we can uncover the complex ways in which images like this one shaped perceptions of Amsterdam in the late 19th century.