Gezicht op het Nieuwezijds Heerenlogement in Amsterdam 1693

This is an engraving of the Nieuwezijds Heerenlogement in Amsterdam, made by an anonymous artist. The Heerenlogement, or gentlemen’s lodging, was a place where visitors of status were received, reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. The image gives a glimpse into the economic activity of the city. Figures are seen transporting goods; the prosperity of Amsterdam, built on trade, was also a product of exploiting labour. The absence of women from the centre of the image might speak to their limited role in formal commerce. However, women's labour would have been essential to sustain this economy. This scene, rendered in fine lines, prompts us to consider the stories of those present and absent, and how their lives were intertwined with Amsterdam’s narrative of commercial power. The image offers a window into a world where identity and status were visibly mapped onto the urban landscape.