Gezicht op de Schreierstoren in Amsterdam 1858

Curator: Johann Gabriel Friedrich Poppel created this engraving, "Gezicht op de Schreierstoren in Amsterdam," in 1858. It’s currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It’s immediately striking – a monochrome cityscape that evokes a quiet, almost melancholic mood. The Schreierstoren, or Weeping Tower, looms rather somberly. Curator: Yes, Poppel's skillful use of engraving truly highlights the material nature of the print itself. Look at the density of the lines, the deliberate way he built up tones – all achieved through painstaking labor with the burin on a metal plate. And the paper itself, likely quite fine. These factors determined the image’s availability and consumption during the period. Editor: Absolutely. That tower though! It’s loaded with symbolism, isn’t it? Its name, "Weeping Tower," alludes to the sailors who departed from here, and the tears of those they left behind. It speaks to the maritime history of Amsterdam and its emotional toll. Curator: And note how he depicts the surrounding buildings and the dockside activity. This print isn't just about aesthetics; it is about conveying Amsterdam as a hub of commerce and maritime trade. The texture created reflects the working-class labour of Amsterdam. The scale, for distribution, likely shaped the composition and size. Editor: True. The tower is undoubtedly the focal point. Think about how the artist has used linear perspective to guide our eye towards it. It serves as a poignant reminder of longing, loss, and the human stories interwoven with Amsterdam’s past. It brings to mind the entire history and emotional reality connected to that departure point. Curator: That's an interesting reading. I'm more interested in what kind of workshops facilitated this artistic and productive mode. Who consumed this work, and where was it consumed? Editor: It really makes you wonder about the individual sailors, the ships, the families waiting. So much is implied within this still image. Curator: Examining the lines closely is as compelling, and reflects the skill, time and equipment needed to produce these in volume. Editor: This piece has given me pause to reflect on Amsterdam’s maritime past, as seen through the emotionally charged symbol of that iconic tower. Curator: For me, it reveals a world where manual skill, industrial production, and image distribution combined to bring the vision of Amsterdam to a wide audience.