Gezicht op Amsterdam vanaf de Amsteldijk in Nieuwer-Amstel 1886

Elias Stark created this etching titled 'View of Amsterdam from the Amsteldijk in Nieuwer-Amstel' in 1887. It is a New Year's greeting from the artist to the viewer. The image presents a serene view of Amsterdam’s skyline, seen from across the Amstel River. Made in the Netherlands, the etching participates in the Dutch tradition of landscape art, but it also engages with the growing urbanization of the late 19th century. Notice how Stark positions the viewer outside the city, on the Amsteldijk, suggesting a reflective distance. The inclusion of boats hints at Amsterdam's economic activity and its deep connection to water. This was a time when the city was expanding, both physically and economically. To understand this work, we might research Amsterdam’s urban development during this period and explore the role of the Amstel River in the city's growth. By doing so, we recognize how art is bound to social and institutional contexts.