Brug over de Keizersgracht bij de Reguliersgracht, Amsterdam 1801 - 1871

Cornelis Gerardus 't Hooft made this drawing of the bridge over the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam with pencil. The subject is seemingly simple, but its cultural context speaks volumes. The Netherlands, and Amsterdam especially, had a long-standing tradition of landscape painting that celebrated the nation's unique geography and its citizens' industrious modification of that landscape through canals and architecture. Hooft’s choice of subject matter then is a nod to this tradition. However, by the 19th century, this tradition was viewed with nostalgia. The Dutch Golden Age was long gone, and artists had to contend with the looming presence of more powerful empires and artistic academies. This drawing, with its somewhat muted tones, can be read as a quiet reflection on that historical shift. By using resources, such as historical archives and exhibition records, we can uncover the intricate dialogue between tradition and change. The artwork reminds us that its meaning is contingent on the dynamic social and institutional context from which it came.