Zij-ingang met houten trap van de Krom Boomssloot 69 in Amsterdam c. 1906

Editor: So, this is Willem Witsen’s print, "Zij-ingang met houten trap van de Krom Boomssloot 69 in Amsterdam," created around 1906. I’m immediately struck by how much the composition seems to be about capturing the quiet, almost hidden parts of city life. What do you see in this work, especially considering its time? Curator: This piece whispers of more than just architecture. The back entrance and the narrow streets were, and are, places where much of daily life unfolds, often unseen and uncelebrated by the dominant narratives. In the early 20th century, these spaces were also deeply entwined with class and gender. Consider the figures that might have used such an entrance. Who might be going in and out of this door and why? Editor: I hadn't really considered it that way. You're saying that by depicting this "back entrance," Witsen might be hinting at the experiences of those who weren't necessarily part of the wealthy elite, who relied on those back passages. Curator: Exactly. And it's not just about class. These spaces, hidden from the grand boulevards, often became the domain of women, laborers, and marginalized communities. They represent an alternative geography of the city, a lived space that challenges the official representation of Amsterdam. Think about how this portrayal diverges from typical idyllic landscapes or portraits of the Dutch Golden Age; it challenges our perceptions of what art from that period *should* depict, who it should depict, and for whom. Editor: That's fascinating. So, by focusing on this seemingly mundane scene, Witsen subtly critiques the dominant social narratives of his time. Curator: Precisely. Art can expose the power dynamics at play, reminding us that history and identity are often constructed from multiple, often conflicting, perspectives. What seems like just a cityscape is loaded with social commentary. Editor: I'll definitely look at cityscape prints differently now. Thanks for bringing a wider context to the surface.