Ophaalbrug bij het Bikkerseiland te Amsterdam Possibly 1846

Hendrik Abraham Klinkhamer made this drawing of a bridge near Bikkerseiland in Amsterdam using pen in brown ink and brush in gray ink. The architecture reflects the Dutch relationship to the sea during the 19th century, as does the choice of Bikkerseiland, a former naval dockyard, as a subject. While the scene is one of everyday life, it represents Amsterdam’s global ambitions and the legacy of its naval power during the Dutch Golden Age. The building on the right of the bridge is in the typical style of houses found in Amsterdam, with the steep roof. The people on the bridge could be merchants, sailors, or shipbuilders, all of whom played a vital role in Amsterdam’s economy. To get a more complete sense of the image’s cultural context, you might research maps and shipping records from the period. You could also consult the museum’s records to learn more about the provenance of the drawing.