Plan voor een nieuw beursgebouw aan het Damrak, 1879 Possibly 1879

This plan for a new stock exchange building on the Damrak, was made in 1879 by an anonymous artist. It's a lithograph, a printing process that democratized image-making in the 19th century. The plan’s very materiality speaks to a moment of great ambition. The delicate lines belie the intense labor needed to manage the complexities of Amsterdam's burgeoning economy. The choice of lithography, a relatively inexpensive and efficient method, suggests a desire to disseminate this vision widely. The design itself, rendered in precise detail, reflects the rational, ordered thinking that underpinned the rise of capitalism. The inclusion of newspaper clippings alongside the plan ties this architectural vision to broader social and economic debates of the time. By considering the humble materials and processes behind this plan, we gain a deeper appreciation for the social and economic forces shaping Amsterdam's urban landscape. It underscores how design and craft are integral to understanding the grand narratives of history.