Het Oude Stadhuis van Amsterdam, 1641 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos created this watercolor of ‘Het Oude Stadhuis van Amsterdam’ in 1641. This image transports us to a pivotal moment in Amsterdam's history, capturing the city's old town hall before its tragic destruction by fire in 1652. Van den Bos, working in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was likely reflecting on this history. The Dutch Golden Age was built on maritime trade and colonization which brought prosperity to the Netherlands, though often at the expense of exploited people elsewhere. We might consider how the building, as a symbol of civic authority, represents both the achievements and the problematic legacies of that era. In this rendering, the details of the architecture invite contemplation on the cultural values and power structures embedded within the city's infrastructure. The building stands as a reminder of Amsterdam's complex identity.