Gezicht op de Zaagmolenpoort te Amsterdam 1755 - 1779

This print, "Gezicht op de Zaagmolenpoort te Amsterdam," was made by the Kaiserlich Franziskische Akademie. It offers a view of Amsterdam through the lens of labor and trade. The Zaagmolenpoort, or sawmill gate, signifies Amsterdam's economic activities, mainly the timber industry, crucial for shipbuilding and construction. The presence of figures dressed in what appears to be traditional attire, standing along the canal, prompts questions about identity and belonging within the city's economic landscape. Does their attire signify a particular class or cultural background? This image might represent the intersection of labor, identity, and urban life, where the daily activities of the working class shape the city's identity and economy. It serves as a reminder of the lives and labor that built and sustained Amsterdam.