Gezicht op de Haringpakkerstoren te Amsterdam 1726

This is an anonymous print showing the Haringpakkerstoren in Amsterdam. We can see how prints like this served a vital public function in the Netherlands. Amsterdam, with its position as a centre of international trade, needed ways of representing itself. The tower dominates the skyline, a symbol of the city’s commercial power. The print gives us an image of a busy port and alludes to the importance of maritime trade for the Netherlands. Notice how the print’s composition emphasizes not just the imposing architecture but also the bustling activity of the harbor. The inclusion of numerous ships and smaller vessels suggests a dynamic and thriving economic landscape. By studying this print, we gain insight into how the city sought to present itself to both its citizens and the wider world. Looking into the archives of the city, the records of its guilds, and its economic history, will allow us to better understand the ways in which Amsterdam saw itself.