Gezicht op de Joden Houttuinen, Amsterdam 1855 - 1870

This albumen print captures the Joden Houttuinen in Amsterdam, and was created by Pieter Oosterhuis. During the 19th century, the neighborhood was home to a large Jewish population, primarily working class families. Oosterhuis’s photograph frames this community, at a time when photography was still a relatively new medium. It invites us to reflect on how the Jewish community was seen, and represented in Dutch society. The photograph's existence speaks to a broader narrative of cultural and social identity. While the scene may appear serene, it is important to acknowledge the layered histories of displacement, resilience, and cultural identity that shape the Joden Houttuinen. What does it mean to record a place that is marked by both community and marginalization? Consider how this image both preserves and perhaps complicates our understanding of Amsterdam’s Jewish history.