Gevels van huizenrijen aan de Keizersgracht naar de Reguliersgracht en de Herengracht naar de Reguliersgracht 1768 - 1771

Caspar Jacobsz. Philips created this ink drawing of canal houses in Amsterdam in the late 18th century. It offers an elevation view of the facades of houses on the Keizersgracht and Herengracht, reflected in the water. This drawing provides a fascinating look at the architecture and urban planning of Amsterdam during its Golden Age. The city's canals were not only crucial for transportation and trade, but also served as a means of displaying wealth and status through elaborate house design. Philips's precise rendering captures the uniformity of the facades, reflecting the social and economic structures of the time. The reflections in the water create a sense of doubling, perhaps hinting at the mirroring of social values and aspirations within the city. To understand this image more fully, we can consult period maps, architectural treatises, and records of property ownership. The social history of Amsterdam is written in the facades of its buildings, telling us about the lives and values of its inhabitants.