Afbeelding van de nieuwgebouwde Muyder-Poort / Afbeelding van de Weesper-Poort 1771 - 1804

This engraving shows two city gates of Amsterdam and was created by Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont. The images share a similar structure, each presenting a gate viewed from the exterior, reflected in the still waters of the canal. Note the artist’s formal use of symmetry: each gate is precisely centered, lending the images a sense of classical order. This is especially evident in the upper image, where the architectural structure of the Muyder-Poort is balanced by the dome above and framed by trees on either side. The composition invites us to contemplate the relationship between nature and constructed space, each carefully delineated to emphasize a sense of harmony. Yet, the image isn’t merely representational; it invites a deeper consideration of space, boundaries, and access. These gates were pivotal in defining Amsterdam’s boundaries, serving as both physical and symbolic markers of the city’s limits. The bridge acts as a transitional zone, a formal device that raises questions about who is permitted to cross, and under what conditions.