Gezicht op het oostelijke gedeelte van Amsterdam 1780 - 1787

This etching, by Mathias de Sallieth, captures a view of Amsterdam from the IJ. Dominating the foreground, we see ships and smaller vessels bustling with activity. The coat of arms, prominently displayed, features three Saint Andrew's crosses, symbols deeply interwoven with Amsterdam's identity. These crosses, though simple, echo through history. Similar forms appear in medieval heraldry and even earlier, as protective symbols in various cultures. Consider how the swastika, an ancient emblem of well-being, was later twisted by the Nazis, demonstrating how potent symbols can be appropriated and inverted, tapping into deep collective fears and aspirations. The ships themselves evoke a sense of adventure and commerce, a visual shorthand for the city’s economic power. Yet, there’s also an underlying melancholic feeling. The fleeting nature of maritime life hints at the ephemeral quality of human endeavors. These visual elements resonate because they touch upon our collective memory, stirring emotions linked to both the glory and transience of human experience.