Poortje aan het Werkhuis (Leeuwenpoort), in de Nieuwe Kerkstraat te Amsterdam 1870 - 1926

Willem Wenckebach created this print of 'Poortje aan het Werkhuis (Leeuwenpoort), in de Nieuwe Kerkstraat te Amsterdam’ using etching. Wenckebach, working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captured the architectural details of Amsterdam. This print invites us to reflect on the role of institutions like the ‘Werkhuis’, or workhouse, in Dutch society. Historically, workhouses were intended to provide employment and shelter for the poor and marginalized. The imposing lion sculpture above the doorway can be seen as a symbol of power and authority. The stone figures above the door contrast with the harsh reality of those who passed through this gate, raising questions about social inequality and the lived experiences of those on the margins. Wenckebach’s careful rendering of this scene prompts us to consider the complex and often contradictory nature of social welfare systems, and their impact on individual lives.