Vogelvluchtgezicht op de Beurs van Hendrik de Keyser te Amsterdam, voor 1668 1662 - 1668

This print from before 1668 depicts the Amsterdam Stock Exchange by Hendrik de Keyser. It offers us a glimpse into the economic and social life of the Dutch Golden Age. Amsterdam in the 17th century was a global hub of commerce and cultural exchange. This detailed depiction of the stock exchange, bustling with figures engaged in trade, reflects the city's central role in shaping early modern capitalism. But who was allowed into this space of economic power? The Exchange would have been populated by men, and its profits were built, in part, from the violence of colonialism and the slave trade. The anonymous artist emphasizes the grandeur of the building, yet includes ordinary people engaged in the daily business of exchange. This reminds us that economic systems are built by individuals, within specific cultural and historical contexts. The Exchange, more than just a building, embodies both the promise and the complex realities of its time.