Profiel van Amsterdam met de nieuwe bolwerken aan de landzijde van de Amstel, 1669 1669

Curator: It feels incredibly detailed, but also somewhat austere. Is this the Amsterdam cityscape? Editor: It is. What we have here is "Profiel van Amsterdam met de nieuwe bolwerken aan de landzijde van de Amstel", a 1669 print by Pieter Rodingh. The piece documents the profile of Amsterdam, showcasing its new bulwarks on the Amstel River side. It gives me a sense of the urban planning of the time. Curator: The starkness of the print almost amplifies the city's ambition. Look at the way the lines create such a sense of depth. Considering the socio-political context of 17th century Amsterdam, do you see this depiction as a form of civic promotion, highlighting the city's strength and modernity through its infrastructure? Editor: Absolutely. Rodingh’s choice of the engraving medium itself speaks to production and dissemination, doesn't it? The printing process, requiring skilled labor, plates, ink – all vital components to create multiples meant for distribution. This isn’t just art for art’s sake; it's a commodity designed to shape public perception and instill pride in the city. The availability of the copies highlights its role in creating a sense of shared identity and civic pride amongst the population. Curator: I see how the physical making of this print reinforces your interpretation. When looking at the placement of the coat of arms – I start to wonder about the representation of Amsterdam here. Are we to interpret it solely as a symbol of economic power? I’m also drawn to considering whose stories might be missing from this image. Editor: That’s crucial to acknowledge. The grandeur conveyed can easily overshadow the lives of the laborers, the marginalized communities, who physically constructed these fortifications. What were the conditions like for them? Curator: Exactly! We are presented with an image of societal triumph, obscuring the material conditions which such "progress" extracts from individuals. The history books remember the planners; they rarely recall the producers of those plans. Editor: Agreed. This image really encourages a deep questioning of whose narratives are being amplified and, consequently, whose labor remains unseen in constructing Amsterdam's historical identity. Curator: Thanks to your materialist reading, I’m seeing how we can deconstruct these representations by focusing on labour to understand their historical impact on individuals and societies at large. Editor: And by factoring in marginalized identities, your reading ensures the people central to its function, aren’t erased by their very roles.