Huis met de Hoofden aan de Keizersgracht 1843 - 1887

Willem Hekking Junior created this print of the ‘House with the Heads’ on the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam in the 19th century. Here we see a famous merchant’s house that earned its name in the 17th century from the busts that adorn its façade. The Keizersgracht itself was part of a project of urban expansion that reflected Amsterdam’s 17th-century economic boom. But by the time this print was made, in the 1800s, the city’s Golden Age was long over, and the print is in subdued tones that evoke a sense of history. The artist makes reference to a glorious past but also acknowledges the current state of affairs. Prints such as this served a documentary purpose but also helped construct an idea of Dutch national identity. This artwork serves as a reminder that even seemingly neutral images are embedded in social and institutional contexts. To fully appreciate it, we need to examine archives, maps, and other historical sources.