Sloop van de verzakte Muiderpoort, gezien vanaf de Singelgracht, 1769 1769

Jan Schouten made this etching of the demolition of the Muiderpoort in 1769. In the image, the gate looms imposingly, while figures stand around, seemingly observing the structure's demise. The Muiderpoort was more than just a gate; it was a symbol of Amsterdam's identity, its place in trade and defense. Its demolition reflects a shift in the city's needs and priorities. Looking at the people populating Schouten’s image, consider their diverse positions within the city. The picture evokes questions about who benefits from progress and who is left behind. Whose stories are told in the reshaping of urban spaces, and whose are erased? It is a story not just of bricks and mortar, but of societal change, of evolving identities, and of the complex negotiations between tradition and modernity.