Gezicht op de Schreierstoren vanaf het IJ 1770

Willem Writs created this etching, “View of the Schreierstoren from the IJ,” sometime in the 18th century. The Schreierstoren, or "Weepers' Tower," stands as a stoic monument in Amsterdam’s landscape, and the name carries a poignant history: it was from here that women bid farewell to their husbands embarking on long sea voyages, often never to return. Writs captures a bustling scene, with boats crisscrossing the waters of the IJ. Yet, this image is imbued with a sense of melancholy, hinting at the emotional weight carried by the tower. The social history of Amsterdam, a major port city, is etched into this scene. It invites a dialogue between the city’s commercial vibrancy and the personal tragedies silently witnessed by the Schreierstoren. This seemingly simple landscape thus becomes a site of reflection on gendered experiences of loss and resilience in a city shaped by maritime trade. The image asks us to consider the personal stories interwoven with the grand narratives of history and commerce.