Gezicht op het Amstel Hotel Possibly 1847 - 1884

Here we have Johan Conrad Greive’s print of the Amstel Hotel. Observe how the flags flutter atop the buildings, symbols of civic pride and commerce. Flags, throughout history, have always been potent symbols of identity, often imbued with religious significance. Consider the Roman vexillum, a military standard that was also a sacred object, or the labarum adopted by Constantine, embedding Christian symbolism within the imperial army. Here, Greive's flags do more than mark a location; they speak to the aspirations of a city on the rise, signaling a time of growth and connection. The water, too, is important. It has, since antiquity, been a symbol of both life and chaos, a conduit for trade and a reminder of nature’s power. Here, it reflects the architecture, doubling the image, deepening its impact, and engaging the viewer in a silent dialogue about progress and the enduring presence of nature.