De Suikerraffinaderij van de firma vom Rath aan de Buitensingel, Nassaukade te Amsterdam 1847 - 1891

Johan Conrad Greive made this watercolor of the vom Rath sugar refinery on the Nassaukade in Amsterdam. Painted in the late 19th century, it captures the changing cityscape of a rapidly industrializing city. The painting shows us the factory, complete with a towering chimney billowing smoke, alongside the traditional waterways and boats of Amsterdam. It’s a striking contrast, highlighting the shift from a mercantile to an industrial economy. This juxtaposition raises questions about the social and environmental impact of such rapid industrial growth in the Netherlands. Did this development lead to better living conditions or did the wealth end up in a few hands? For historians, this image is a visual document of a period of intense social and economic transformation. By consulting historical archives, economic reports, and social commentary from the time, we can begin to understand the complex relationship between industrial progress and its impact on everyday life.