Gezicht op de Oude Schans met de Montelbaanstoren te Amsterdam c. 1887 - 1897

Willem Witsen made this pencil drawing of the Oude Schans with the Montelbaanstoren in Amsterdam at the turn of the 20th century. The sketch is full of atmosphere and beautifully evokes the look and feel of the city. But, it's also a strategic view. Amsterdam was undergoing rapid urban expansion at this time, and artists like Witsen helped to forge a sense of local identity during this period of modernization. Notice how the old defensive tower is prominently placed in the composition. The choice of such a historic landmark speaks to contemporary debates around cultural heritage and national identity. Artists played a vital role in shaping the narrative of the city and the place of its inhabitants, constructing an idea of what it meant to be Dutch in a rapidly changing world. Examining the artist's personal correspondence, exhibition records, and other archival documents allows us to understand how the image circulated and helped construct Amsterdam's cultural identity.