Twee gezichten op het Rokin te Amsterdam, waarvan één reproductie van een prent door Hendrik Spilman naar Jan de Beijer 1890 - 1900

This page presents two views of the Rokin in Amsterdam, one of which reproduces an earlier print. The two images provide a fascinating glimpse into Amsterdam's evolving urban landscape and the changing role of art in representing it. The top image revives Hendrik Spilman's print after Jan de Beijer, offering a nostalgic view of the city. In contrast, the bottom image shows a later, perhaps photographic, depiction, capturing the Rokin as it appeared at the time this page was assembled. The inclusion of both images invites us to consider how Amsterdam saw itself across different eras. Was the historic view a form of civic pride, or was it included for its artistic merit? What does the addition of a contemporary, more realistic image, tell us? To truly understand this work, further research into Amsterdam's urban development and the role of art in shaping public perception of the city is invaluable. By examining such objects, historians can uncover rich insights into the cultural values and social dynamics of their time.