Gezicht op het Oudezijds Herenlogement te Amsterdam c. 1770 - 1783

Hermanus Petrus Schouten created this print of the Oudezijds Herenlogement in Amsterdam using etching techniques sometime in the late 18th century. At first glance, the print appears to be a straightforward depiction of a street scene, yet the composition is carefully structured to convey a sense of depth and perspective. Note how the receding lines of the buildings and canal draw the eye towards the horizon. The use of light and shadow creates tonal variations that define the forms of the architecture. Schouten employs a semiotic system of signs to communicate social and cultural information. For example, the architecture and clothing styles reflect the values of order and hierarchy, while the presence of figures engaged in everyday activities suggests the circulation of urban life. Ultimately, this print invites us to contemplate the relationship between representation and reality and the ways in which images shape our understanding of the world.