Gezicht op de Amstel bij de runmolen en katoendrukkerij

Matthijs Pool made this print of the Amstel River, with its runmolen and cotton printing factory, sometime before 1740. It’s created by engraving lines into a copper plate, which is then inked and printed on paper. Notice how Pool’s fine lines capture the textures of the sails and brickwork. The windmill, the source of power for the factory, dominates the scene. It would have been a noisy, dusty place, with workers constantly loading and unloading materials. The cotton printing factory itself is significant. These factories mechanized textile production, and were the early sites of intense labor exploitation. Consider the contrast between the picturesque scene and the harsh realities of industrial work. Pool may have intended a celebration of Dutch industry, but today, the print serves as a reminder of the human cost of production. By looking closely at the materials and processes represented here, we can better understand the social context that shaped this image, and the world around it.