Gezicht op de Korenbeurs te Rotterdam, 1854 1855

This is Albertus Anthonius Nunnink's 1854 monochrome lithograph, "Gezicht op de Korenbeurs te Rotterdam", now held at the Rijksmuseum. The image presents a composition of horizontal calm that belies the economic activity of the Rotterdam Exchange. Note how the architectural structures and ships' masts create a series of vertical lines that establish a rhythm across the horizontal plane of the water. The light and shadow are carefully calibrated to define the forms and create a sense of depth. The careful arrangement of elements reflects a structuralist approach, where the city is not just represented but constructed as a system of signs. The quaysides and buildings may signify stability and order, while the boats and water represent the flow of commerce and change. Nunnink’s print offers a structured view of Rotterdam’s economic landscape, inviting us to consider the underlying systems that shape our understanding of urban life.