Gezicht op de Achterburgwal c. 1860 - 1900

Andries Jager captured this view of the Achterburgwal with photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The image presents a tranquil scene, but let's consider the context of Amsterdam in the 19th century. As a major port city, Amsterdam was a hub of trade and cultural exchange, but also a site of stark social inequalities. Notice the figures along the canal – are they merchants, laborers, or members of the bourgeoisie? How does Jager’s composition reflect or obscure these social divisions? The photograph evokes a certain nostalgia, a longing for a simpler time. But it is important to remember that the past was not simple for everyone. Who is included and excluded from this vision of Amsterdam? Whose stories are told, and whose are left out?