Fotoreproductie van een tekening van de kermis op de Nieuwmarkt door Reinier Craeyvanger 1867 - 1882

This is a photographic reproduction by Ch. Binger & Co. of a drawing of the Nieuwmarkt fair by Reinier Craeyvanger. Fairgrounds, such as the one we see here in Amsterdam, were places where social classes mixed, if only for a short time. They were spaces where conventional societal rules could be bent, if not broken. Consider the couple in the foreground; dressed in their finery, they represent the upwardly mobile middle class. This burgeoning class sought entertainment and leisure activities to reflect its status and to experience the pleasures of modern urban life. Meanwhile, the performers on the stage are separated not just by their elevated position, but by their occupation, marking them as distinct from the crowd. This image captures a moment in time, reflecting the shifting social dynamics and the emerging cultural landscape of 19th-century Amsterdam. It offers a glimpse into the lives of people navigating a rapidly changing world.