Station Amsterdam Willemspoort 1844 - 1848

Johannes Hilverdink’s ‘Station Amsterdam Willemspoort’ is an engraving that captures a moment in the ever-changing urban landscape of 19th century Amsterdam. During Hilverdink’s lifetime, the Netherlands underwent significant transformations marked by industrialization and urbanization. Here, Hilverdink directs our attention to the architectural face of progress. The station's design, drawing on classical elements, symbolizes a reach towards modernity, yet the inclusion of a traditional windmill in the same frame introduces a complex layering of the old and new. Who was this progress for? Consider the figures in the print; their attire suggests a certain class, hinting at the socio-economic divisions that were both reinforced and challenged during this period of rapid change. Hilverdink invites us to consider how technological advancement shapes not only the physical landscape but also the social experiences and identities of the people within it.