Het Burgerweeshuis te Amsterdam 1842 - 1887

This anonymous print depicts the Burgerweeshuis, or civic orphanage, in Amsterdam. The image invites us to consider the institution's role within the broader social fabric of the Netherlands. The building is rendered with a sharp eye for architectural detail. Yet, the inclusion of figures in contemporary dress animates the scene and invites reflection on the institution’s place in the city’s social life. Made in the Netherlands, the print provides a glimpse into the social welfare systems of the time. Orphanages like the Burgerweeshuis were conceived as spaces of care, where children without families could be sheltered and educated. But also, institutions like this served an economic function, as a solution to deal with poverty and marginalization. Understanding the print requires historical research, delving into archival records, exploring the economic and social conditions of 19th-century Amsterdam, and looking at the history of philanthropy.