Stadsgezicht te Alkmaar 1845 - 1875

Bernardus Gerardus ten Berge made this print of Alkmaar, Netherlands, at an unknown date using etching and aquatint. The image captures a moment of transition. We see Alkmaar as a city of both canals and industrial development. Sailing ships moor near factories with smokestacks. The old and new exist side by side. It's worth noting that the Rijksmuseum, where this print is housed, was founded in the late 19th century to showcase Dutch art and history. Prints like this one helped to document and disseminate images of Dutch cities and landscapes, contributing to a sense of national identity. To fully understand this image, we would need to research the economic and social history of Alkmaar during the time it was made. What industries were thriving? How did industrialization impact the lives of ordinary people? These are the questions that help us connect art to the broader sweep of history.