Gezicht op en profielen van een poort van het burgerweeshuis aan de Kalverstraat in Amsterdam 1880

This detailed print portrays the gate of the Burgerweeshuis, or Civic Orphanage, in Amsterdam. Its anonymous maker used lines of varying weight and density to create a sense of three-dimensionality. The print meticulously documents the gate's design, emphasizing its architectural features and ornamental details. The use of hatching and cross-hatching techniques showcases not only the form but also the texture of the stone facade. Note the contrast between the smooth surfaces and the rougher, more textured areas, achieved through varied linework. The building itself speaks volumes about the social context of the time. Orphanages like this one played a vital role in caring for vulnerable children, and their construction would have involved the labor of many skilled craftsmen. The print not only celebrates architectural design, but invites reflection on the lives and labor that shaped Amsterdam's civic structures.