Gezicht op het Entrepotdok in Amsterdam richting het oosten 1833

Petrus Josephus Lutgers created this view of the Entrepotdok in Amsterdam, using the technique of lithography. The print is all about industry and labor. Lutgers has made the most of the lithographic medium's capacity for fine detail, describing the brickwork of the warehouse, the rigging of the ships, and even the reflections in the water with great care. Lithography allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, making it well-suited to documenting scenes of bustling commercial activity like this one. Notice how the artist directs our gaze along the waterway, emphasizing the repetitive architectural elements. This visual rhythm mirrors the systematic processes of trade and transport that defined Amsterdam's economic life. The print is not just a depiction of a place, but a statement about the efficiency and scale of 19th-century capitalism. By focusing on the built environment and the mechanics of commerce, Lutgers invites us to consider the relationship between artistic representation and the industrial forces shaping the world around him.