IJsvermaak op de Amstel 1752

Abraham Zeeman created this etching titled ‘IJsvermaak op de Amstel’ which translates to ‘Ice Amusement on the Amstel,’ capturing a vibrant winter scene in the Netherlands. Zeeman depicts the frozen Amstel River as a stage for all levels of Dutch society, where people from all classes converge, mixing and mingling, momentarily freed from the social constraints of their daily lives. This imagery of common space questions the rigid hierarchies of the 18th century. We see leisure as a social leveler, a temporary escape from the structures of daily life. The presence of windmills and church spires places us geographically and culturally, reminding us of the distinctive Dutch landscape and its Protestant identity. Investigating period documents—personal letters and city records—can offer rich insights into the lives of those who, like Zeeman, challenge existing social norms.