Gezicht op Amsterdam vanaf de Stadlanderbrug, langs de wetering 1725 - 1764

This is Gerardus Condet’s engraving of Amsterdam from the Stadlanderbrug, rendered sometime in the mid-18th century. Condet’s Amsterdam emerges from a very particular historical and cultural context. The Dutch Golden Age had ended, but Amsterdam remained a vital center for trade, culture, and ideas. This print offers us a glimpse into the daily life of the city, the waterways bustling with boats, windmills punctuating the skyline. Yet, this idyllic scene belies the complex social dynamics at play. The wealth that supported Amsterdam's vibrancy was, in part, built on colonial exploitation and the labor of enslaved people. What stories are missing from this image? Whose labor sustained this economy? How might their perspectives challenge the serene façade presented here? While Condet's engraving offers a picturesque view, it also invites us to consider the untold narratives that shape our understanding of history. It asks us to look beyond the surface and engage with the complexities of the past.