Ontwerp voor de Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam 1898

This is an architectural design for the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam, an anonymous work on paper. It reflects the shifting economic and social currents of its time. As Amsterdam grew into a global hub for trade and finance, the need for a modern stock exchange became undeniable. The Beurs was conceived as a symbol of national pride and economic progress. This design presents a fascinating interplay of architectural styles. Notice the imposing facades and grand scale, which speak to the city's ambition to assert its place on the world stage. Yet, behind this façade of progress, the realities of labor and class divisions were also at play. This blueprint embodies the complex narrative of a society on the brink of transformation. The Beurs emerged as a symbol of both progress and the tensions inherent in a rapidly changing world.