Gezicht op het Entrepotdok in Amsterdam 1844 - 1848

Johannes Hilverdink made this print of the Entrepotdok in Amsterdam in the nineteenth century. It gives us an intriguing snapshot of the city's economic and social life. The Entrepotdok, completed in the early 19th century, was a large warehouse complex where goods from all over the world were stored, duty-free. Hilverdink's print shows us the busy port, with ships docked and people going about their business. But it also hints at the darker side of this global trade, the exploitation of labor and resources in far-flung corners of the world. The print is not just a pretty picture, it's a window into the complex social and economic forces that shaped Amsterdam. As historians, we can use sources such as trade records, census data, and contemporary accounts to understand the historical context of the Entrepotdok. By doing so, we can uncover the stories of the people who lived and worked here, and gain a deeper understanding of the role that Amsterdam played in the global economy.